Autumn Ridout is a sophomore member of the Jayhawk swimming and diving team at JCC.  She was swimming team captain in high school and also received the athlete award at JCC during her freshman season.  Ridout is a Social Science major, and plans to transfer to a four-year school and study in an Occupational Therapy Assistant program.

Spotlight Athlete

Q: When you were younger, did you have a passion for another sport like you do for Swimming now?

A: No, I’ve always been interested and have had my heart on swimming. I wasn’t really super athletic growing up and couldn’t play intense sports like Soccer, so I stuck to the pool.

Q: Who or what inspired you the most with Swimming?

A: My Frewsburg high school Coach, Bruce Johnson. He always pushed me to be better and get better day in and day out.

Q: What do you enjoy the most about Swimming?

A: I really love constantly being surrounded by such a supportive and loving team. They’re like my second family.

Q: How do you usually prepare for your best performances?

A: Most people listen to intense music that will get them ready and energized, but I spend my time hyping up my other teammates and getting them ready to go. This excites me and gets me ready to perform.

Q: What are your goals for the future/career?

A: My Swimming goals are to just improve more, but more importantly to make personal best times. For my career, my goals are to successfully transfer and continue my study in Occupational Therapy.

Q: Do you have any inspirational advice that you can give to upcoming athletes?

A: Probably just to always work hard and set goals for yourself and always work towards them. Working hard and setting goals will make you successful in no matter what you do whether it is school or just sports.

Q: What are your goals for the team this season?

A: We have a small team of only 9, so it is hard to win meets. We all just want to improve and hopefully make Nationals and be able to go to Florida!