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Joyce Kwok Having a Banner Year

Joyce Kwok a Having Banner Year

Photo by LIU ATHLETICS

Christian Arnold
Assistant Spots Editor

LIU Post freshman butterfly/backstroke swimmer Joyce Kwok did not realize that her 53.93 and 2:00.16 times in the 100-yard and 200-yard butterfly had ascended her to fastest female in Division II swimming.

“I did not know I was the fastest swimmer in D II until my coach and teammates told me,” Kwok said. “I feel proud of myself that I have come this far, but I know there are more people that are faster than me. I hope to continue improving my swimming.”

The freshman from Middle Village, New York, has been a part of why the Pioneers are currently ranked ninth in Division II swimming. In her last two meets, Kwok has blown the completion away grabbing five first place finishes in LIU Post’s meet against Siena College. She finished with a time of 2:12.85 in the 200-meter butterfly against the University of Bridgeport.

“Her obvious talent has helped to propel our relays to a higher level,” LIU Post swim coach Maureen Travers said. “…and has them currently ranked as high as third in the country for Division II. She is a team player and helps to push her teammates to achieve their best during practices as well as at meets.”

Kwok’s success should come as no surprise. She was a stand-out swimmer at Francis Lewis High School, where she was enshrined in the school’s Hall of Fame in 2011. She spent all four years of her high school career on the varsity swim team and was named most valuable player in 2008. In 2011, she was awarded the Public Schools Athletic League Senior Award and Senior Athlete award.

With all of her high school success, one would believe she had been swimming her whole life. But that is not the case. Kwok did not start swimming competitively until she was 11 years old. “At first my parents did not want me to do any sports,” she explained. “But they wanted me to learn how to swim so that I would not drown. And I came to like swimming so they let me join the swim team.”

Clearly it was a wise decision considering what she has accomplished. Kwok and the Pioneers next swim meet is Saturday, February 2, at 6:00 p.m. in the Pratt Center.

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