Athlete Profiles
Kara Stranski
Sophomore Butterfly, Backstroke Portland, Ore. • St. Mary’s Academy 2010-11 (Freshman): Delivered her best performance of the season at the 2011 Big 12 Championships, where she swam three season-best times in the 100 butterfly (56.58), 50 freestyle (24.27) and 100 freestyle (52.00)... Took fifth in the 50 free with her 25.06 time in double-dual versus South Dakota/Northern Iowa... Placed ninth in the 50 freestyle at Florida International with a 25.42 performance... At Orange Bowl Swim Classic, finished fifth in 100-meter freestyle (1:01.21)... At the Georgia Fall Invitational, swam a season best in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:08.90... Finished sixth in the 50 freestyle with her 25.06 time versus Missouri. High School (St. Mary’s Academy): A four-year letterwinner in swimming… A six-time High School AllAmerican... Named the 2009 Mount Hood Conference Swimmer of the Year…. AllCareer Best Times conference all four years… Conference 100 Breast.......1:08.90 (2010 Georgia Invite) champion 11 times… Six-time 100 Fly...................... 56.58 (2011 Big 12’s) top individual finalist at state 50 Free............................... 24.27 (2011 Big 12’s) championships… Member of the medley 100 Free............................. 52.00 (2011 Big 12’s) 200-yard relay 6A State Champions (2009)... 6A State Champion in the 50-yard freestyle (2009) and two-time runner-up in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle… OSAA scholar athlete… USA Scholastic All-American. Personal: Born in Dallas, Texas… Parents are Monty and Jan Stranski… A biology major… Plans to travel across Europe after graduation as a marine biologist.
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Getting to Know Kara Reason you chose KU: Closeness of swim team, school’s tradition Favorite swimming memory at KU: The team coming together at the 2011 Big 12 Championship Favorite sport to watch (other than swimming): Favorite food:
Basketball Sushi
Websites you visit the most: Facebook, Twitter (way too much!) Favorite TV shows:
“Pretty Little Liars”, “Grey’s Anatomy”
Song at the top of my iPod:
“Superbass” (Nicki Minaj)
Farthest you have traveled:
France
Time your alarm clock is set for:
5:20 a.m.
Favorite KU tradition: Jingling your keys at the football games