Audrey Henkel has become a remarkable rookie phenom for not only the Branford girls’ swimming and diving team this fall, but also the SCC as a whole. In only her first postseason foray, Audrey made a big splash and took home dual solo accolades.

The freshman grew up playing tennis with her sister at the Guilford Racquet Club. Yet Audrey realized the court was not for her, so she decided to take up swimming lessons at that same facility. It blossomed into her joining club swimming via the Soundview YMCA Stingrays.

This fall for the Hornets, Audrey finished third at the SCC Championship on Oct. 30 in the 50-yard freestyle in a time of 24.98 seconds, and she followed that up in the 100 freestyle by also placing third-best, clocking in at 54.62 seconds to notch All-SCC Team recognition.

“This was my first year of high school swimming, and I had swam in big meets prior, but SCCs was new to me,” says Audrey. “I was nervous at first, but seeing my team cheer me on gave me a sense of relief. And being able to swim against people I have gone up against for years was comforting in a way. I had the goal to make the All-SCC Team, so after I did that first with the 50 free, it took some pressure off me to help me focus on my other races.”

Audrey is really drawn to the ratio between effort and excelling to one’s full potential in the pool. She also knows that every race is a test of endurance, so it is great to have a great support system around her.

“I enjoy how you see results based on how much you put into it. It is a sport of give and take, plus my friends and coaches have all been great,” Audrey says. “Being a part of a team with great coaches has helped me improve. It’s great always having someone to support you through hard days and practices. The team also helps to make things more light-hearted.”

As one can imagine after seeing her time splits from SCCs, Audrey is drawn to the freestyle. Yet it has only become a speciality of hers recently, as she has also been very successful in another shorter event of the backstroke.

“I like the 50 and 100 freestyles and also the 100 backstroke. I have always been a backstroker, but I have started to get better at freestyle,” says Audrey. “I am grateful I am good at those events because I would not want to struggle with the longer events and races if I was not as strong at them.”

In terms of testing the mettle of her mind, Audrey explains that that is the first determining factor in how well she fares each and every day in the water. She explains she will not always see her best marks, but brimming optimism will always get her to that final destination.

“Swimming is just as much mental as it is physical,” Audrey says. “A bad mentality will definitely affect your performance. It can be difficult to stay motivated if your times are not improving, but I know if I stay positive, then I will reach my goals.”

Hornets girls’ swimming and diving Head Coach Sally Noel explains that Audrey is a perfect ambassador for what the program is all about. Her unrelenting work ethic and progression also motivates others to try their hardest to ascend to her level of proficiency.

“Audrey brings a spunk and playfulness to the team that brings a welcome joy to practices. She fits right into our team culture of fun plus dedication,” says Noel. “Her level of ability truly lifts all around her, making everyone move it a little more in the water. Her performance at meets made her a standout competitor, winning nearly every event she swam, and clinching the All-SCC Team spots in both events sets her up to be one to watch at our Class S State Championships.”

Audrey looks to set her own mark on the legacy of the Hornets’ program in the trio of campaigns ahead of her. Branford boasts quite an underclassmen-heavy club, so she looks for each of them to take their growth steadily towards developing into conference and state contenders.

“For me, I hope to keep improving as I keep going on through the seasons. My main goal is to break some school records, and I know Branford has had some fast swimmers through the years,” says Audrey. “For the team, I hope we all keep improving and growing, so it will help us place higher as a team in the future at SCCs and states.”

Audrey is quite blessed for the community she is around for her high school athletic home. She explains it gives her the sturdy foundation to do her best daily and reach her goals, while learning valuable lessons along the way.

“I feel very lucky I was given a great team; everyone has been very welcoming. It helped make the change from club to high school swimming that much easier,” Audrey says. “It is reassuring to see everyone supporting each other at every meet. Our coaches are also great; they are welcoming, supportive, and they have helped everyone get adjusted to high school swimming.”