The Wellesley News’ Student Athlete of the Month segment features a student athlete who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, outstanding success in their sport, honorable contributions to the Wellesley community and strong leadership since their time playing at the collegiate level. Honorees are nominated and selected by the Wellesley student body.
December’s Student Athlete of the Month honor is awarded to Jessica Wegner ’22. Wegner is known around campus by her fellow student athletes and friends as “a friendly face and a fierce competitor.” Wegner is originally from Taipei, Taiwan and specializes in butterfly, backstroke and freestyle.
Wegner has many notable achievements in her athletic career for the Blue, including CSCAA All-American honors in 2020, NEWMAC Women’s Swimming & Diving All-Conference First Team in 2019 and 2020, six school records and wins in the 100 yard butterfly at the 2019 and 2020 NEWMAC Conference Championships.
A teammate shared this sentiment when nominating Wegner for this recognition: “Jess is enthusiastic, hardworking and entertaining in and out of the pool. We can always count on her to bring the heat and brighten the mood.”
The News (TWN) interviewed Wegner (JW) earlier this week.
TWN: What is your favorite memory of your season thus far?
JW: I was away at home in Taiwan all last year, so I was really excited to come back and see all the returning teammates and meet my new teammates (there were 20 of them!!).
TWN: Have you faced any adversity as your season has progressed? If so, how were you able to overcome those challenges?
JW: I think one of the hardest parts of this season was getting back in shape after the gap from the covid since there were limited opportunities for me to be in the pool. It was definitely very hard at first, but having my teammates next to me, pushing me through practice made the practices so much better.
TWN: What gets you most excited to play your sport?
JW: I LOVE the team and I LOVE competing!!! We get to train together and celebrate when all our hard work pays off.
TWN: Are there any future competitions or traditions that you are particularly excited for as the season progresses?
JW: I am excited for our winter session bondings, especially the dinner where seniors prepare the main dish, juniors prepare the dessert, sophomores prepare the appetizers and first-years prepare something to entertain the rest of the classes. I can’t wait for championships at MIT this year and maybe we’ll be able to make it to the NCAA.
TWN: Include anything else you’d like to mention about your season, what you’re majoring in, your interests, your favorite foods, your friends on campus, etc.!
JW: I’m double majoring in Environmental Studies and Physics, I love arts and crafts, music, naps and trying new food. I love boba, Taiwanese beef noodles (牛肉麵), pot stickers (鍋貼) and Taiwanese night market food.
Wellesley Swim and Dive concluded the first half of their season this past weekend at the MIT Invitational Meet, a three-day event hosted by MIT from Dec. 3-5. Wegner placed first in the 100 yard butterfly with a time of 56.02, fast enough to qualify for an NCAA B cut. The Blue as a team finished 5th overall just behind RPI.
The Blue will return to campus in early January to train and compete during the College’s Wintersession. The next competition will be held on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022 in a tri-meet against Bridgewater State and Trinity at 1 p.m.
Keep an eye out for the January Student Athlete of the Month nomination form that will be distributed at the beginning of next month.
