Big Ten Senior Spotlight: Rhiannon Sheets of Purdue University

The Purdue Boilermakers have one of the strongest senior classes in the entire Big 10, and Rhiannon Sheets out of Carmel, Indiana has been one of the primary catalysts behind the team’s success in recent years. Sheets has had a phenomenal career with Purdue over her first three years, and her multiple appearances at the NCAA Championships both individually and on relays have provided crucial points time and time again for the Black and Old Gold.

Sheets proved how impactful she would be almost immediately upon joining the Boilermakers with a tremendous freshman season. At the 2012 Big Ten Championships, she would score individually in the 100 fly (53.99, 53.86 in prelims, 6th), and the 200 fly (1:56.77, 2nd) while also placing 26th in the 50 free (23.20). She would also contribute to multiple relay efforts, with legs on the 800 Free Relay (7:10.10, 5th), 400 Medley Relay (3:36.70, 6th), and the 400 free relay (3:18.97, 5th).

With her performances in the 200 free (mid-season) and the 200 fly, Sheets qualified to compete at the 2012 NCAA Championships, where she would take 36th in the 200 free (1:47.22) and 35th in the 200 fly (1:59.11). The 200 free swim would be a new freshman record, and once you consider the fact that she had already set a program record in the 100 fly (53.80) and the 200 fly (1:56.67) earlier in the year at the 2011 Ohio State Invitational, it becomes easy to see that Sheets had established herself as a force to reckon with for years to come.

Building off her spectacular freshman campaign, Rhiannon had an arguably even more impressive season the very next year. At the 2013 Big Ten Championships, Sheets competed in three of the same individual events as the year before, netting finishes of 12th in the 100 fly (54.42, 54.00 in prelims), 8th in the 200 free (1:47.27, 1:45.97 in prelims), and 6th in the 200 fly (1:58.08). She would qualify for NCAAs in the 200 fly and the 200 free.

Though her placing in her individuals was respectable in their own right, it was in the relays where Sheets really shone as a sophomore. She provided a 1:44.63 split on the second leg of the 800 free relay (7:08.92, 3rd), the third-fastest split amongst all competitors at the championships. Additionally, she also swam legs on the 200 free relay (1:29.77, 4th) and the 400 free relay (3:18.08, 3rd), and all three freestyle relays would receive the chance to compete again at NCAAs.

A month later, Sheets would take 51st in the 200 free (1:49.29) and 34th in the 200 fly (1:58.66) at that year’s NCAA Championships. Purdue’s 200, 400, and 800 free relays would take 18th (1:30.40), 21st (3:18.73), and 18th (7:10.86) respectively.

Returning for her junior year, Sheets kept her Championship Season hot streak alive with her performances at the conference championships. Individually, she recorded finishes of 31st in the 50 free (23.19), 8th in the 200 free (1:47.21, 1:46.03 in prelims), and 7th in the 200 fly (1:58.86, 1:58.09 in prelims). She also swam on the Boilermakers’ 5th place finishing 800 free relay (7:07.01) and the 7th place finishing 400 free relay (3:19.91).

As a junior at NCAAs, Sheets demonstrated the benefits of having prior experience at the meet, swimming to career best finishes of 27th in the 200 free (1:46.00) and 31st in the 200 fly (1:57.57) at the national championships. As usual, she also represented Purdue admirably as a member of the 800 free relay (7:08.34, 17th) and 400 free relay (3:17.38, 26th) as well.

Outside of the pool, Sheets has accumulated multiple academic accolades of note as well. She received the 2013 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award and is also a two-time recipient of Academic All-Big Ten and CSCAA All-American honors.

With minimal losses to graduation and a great team showing at the Ohio State Invitational this past winter, Purdue is shaping up to have one of its best championship seasons in quite some time. Big heats at conference and multiple swims at NCAAs are very comfortable territory for Rhiannon Sheets, and if the Boilermakers see her swim to her full potential next week, she could be a primary factor in Purdue’s rise in the team standings. After a 7th place finish last year, it’s scary to think of how much of an upside Purdue still has, and we will get a good opportunity to see what Sheets and company have up their sleeves as soon as competition begins on Wednesday.

Best Times (SCY/LCM):
50 Free: 23.12/26.71
100 Free: 23.12/57.07
200 Free: 1:45.97/2:03.04
500 Free/400 Free: 4:56.39/4:19.11
100 Fly: 53.80^/1:02.71
200 Fly: 1:56.67*^/2:14.36
400 Medley Relay: 3:36.70*

*Denotes school record
^Denotes Purdue freshman record

School Major/Degree: Movement and Sport Sciences
Favorite Event: 200 fly
Favorite Hobby/Hidden Talent: I love doing crafts
Favorite Movie: Parent Trap
Favorite Food/ Pre-Race Meal: I go to Panera after almost every session!

At what age did you become involved with swimming? How did you get into it?

I started swimming on my neighborhood swim team when I was 7. Then a friend and I heard about Carmel Swim Club and decided to try it out. Never looked back!

What is your favorite collegiate swimming memory and why?

Opening night of Big Tens. There is so much energy on deck, in the pool, everywhere. I barely ever even remember swimming the 800 free relay because there is just so much excitement and adrenaline it’s like an out of body experience. It’s unlike anything else I’ve experienced.

At the Ohio State Invitational back in November, you approached your bests times in multiple events, including the 50 free, 200 free, 100 fly, and 200 fly, a great sign for any swimmer at the midpoint of the season. Do you feel like your swims in Columbus built some momentum for yourself for Championship season?

It was definitely exciting and confidence building to swim well midseason. But I don’t let myself get too comfortable with that because I know you have to be prepared for anything and everything at Big Ten’s.

Whereas some teams in the Big 10 have a wealth of youth and rely on underclassmen to carry the burden, the Boilermakers have an incredible group of seniors to lead the way, with 9 seniors representing the team in the 2014-15 season. Additionally, Casey Matthews, Mackenzie Tweardy, Francesca Marr, and yourself all qualified individually for events at NCAAs last year with Kylie Vogel also providing support on the relays.  Do you feel like such an impressive group of seniors at the helm has a noticeable impact on the team atmosphere, and what has it felt like to be a part of such a successful class?

The commitment and passion of the senior class is unbelievable. This year, there is a team dynamic unlike that of any other year I’ve been on the team and I know that is a direct result of the dedication of my fellow seniors. I am very proud to be a part of their class.

What/who do you think has been the single most important catalyst to your swimming career?

My club coach, Chris Plumb, started coaching me when I was 11 and really instilled in me the dedication and hard work it takes to be successful. When I would struggle he would never lose confidence in me and that was really when I think I learned how to believe in myself.

Do you have any plans/commitments following the completion of your collegiate career?

Ultimately my plan is Physical Therapy school but I am taking a year off first and focusing on giving back. I will be working at Joseph Maley Foundation as well as coaching at Carmel Swim Club.

What should we look forward to from Purdue as a whole at this year’s Big Ten Championships?

We have big goals and are not afraid to take risks. Our motto of the year is “Light a Fire” and we plan to come in and do just that.