Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Emma Lynch

Emma Lynch is an 11-year-old swimmer in Sarasota who is already off to a fast start. 

Lynch, who competes with the Sarasota Sharks, was first in the 100-yard free, the 50 fly and the 400 IM and also recorded two second-place and two third-place finishes in the 12U age group at the Shark Open from June 19-22. 

Lynch has been selected as one of the 12 fastest swimmers in Florida for the 11-12 year-old age group to compete at the Southern Zone Age Group Championships in Orlando from July 30 - Aug. 2. 

When and why did you start swimming?

I started swimming when I was like 6, and then I kind of took a break and came back when I was 8 years old. That’s when I started swimming with the (Sarasota) Sharks. My parents knew I loved swimming, so they put me back into it. 

What has been your most memorable moment in swimming?

This year I was getting picked up from school and my mom told me I made the Southern Zones team. It’s the 12 best swimmers in Florida who race against the southern part of the United States.

What is your best swimming stroke and why?

The butterfly. I just have a passion for it. 

What have you been working on lately?

Definitely my backstroke. I’ve been working on kicking faster and having more of a pull. 

How often do you swim?

I go from 5 to 7 in the summer, but for school days we do 5:15 to 7:30 and it’s every day except for Sunday. 

What has been your most humbling moment in swimming?

I swam my first 800 this season and I rewatched it and I thought I could do better. I saw I was going really slow in the pool and kind of just relaxing too much. So I picked it up and went for it. 

What is your dream goal for swimming?

To win Olympic gold medals. 

What is your favorite meal?

Steak with pasta. I like my steak cooked medium rare with alfredo pasta. My mom makes it. 

What is your favorite TV show or movie? 

My favorite movie is Avengers Endgame. I like how it’s so exciting. 

What is your go-to warm-up song?

The Hall of Fame by The Script. It’s a pump-up song for me. 

If you’re not swimming, what are you doing?

Either hanging out with my friends or my family. I like to paint or just chill out and play games.

What does your ideal weekend look like?

Practice on Saturday morning and then just chill the rest of the day and sleep on Sunday. 

Who is your favorite swimmer and why? 

Katie Ledecky. She’s this powerful woman, and she swims amazingly. 

Finish this sentence. Emma Lynch is…

Strong.