By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Audrey Appuhn was extremely busy Thursday at the Capitol Federal Natatorium ... and that's just the way the Washburn Rural junior swimming star likes it.
Washburn Rural junior Audrey Appuhn reacts after setting a personal record in the 200-yard freestyle in Thursday's Centennial League meet. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Appuhn kicked off the Centennial League meet with a flawless rendition of the National Anthem before jumping in the pool and winning four gold medals for the runnerup Junior Blues.
It was just another day for Appuhn, who routinely combines her love for swimming with her love for music.
"I love singing the National Anthem,'' Appuhn said. "I think it's so fun and I just love to sing.''
Appuhn also loves to swim, something she's done as long as she can remember.
"My mom put me in lessons as soon as I could walk and talk,'' said Appuhn, a multi-event Class 6A state medalist the past two seasons. "And I joined the team when I was probably seven or eight and I've just been doing it for the rest of my life.
"It's definitely something I've grown up with. It's taught me a lot about excelling and not only physically but mentally and learning how to overcome challenges and I can apply that to school and relationships with my friends. I think it's definitely helped me grow as an entire person and not just an athlete.''
Appuhn also fell in love with music at a relatively young age.
"I've always been kind of a Chatty Cathy so music came pretty naturally to me because it's a pretty way that people can hear my voice,'' Appuhn said. "I started in musical theater when I was in elementary school and I joined choir in middle school.
"I'm actually the choir president at Washburn for next year, so I'm super excited about that, and I just love singing and getting to be a part of something. It's kind of like a team when you're in a choir as well so it's a really great environment. I decided for my senior year I'm also going to join marching band because why not? I'm going to play piano (keyboard) in marching band.''
And Appuhn's list of activities doesn't end there.
"I'm in National Honor Society and every weekend I go to a nursing home and I sing for like retired folk in our community,'' she said. "I just love to get involved in everything I can to really spread the love because I think everyone needs some love.''
