Collegiate Times

Sophomore swimmer Erika Hajnal competes for the Hokies during Tech's meet against Penn State on Oct. 31 at War Memorial pool.

Until Erika Hajnal was six years old, she was afraid of the water.

Now 20 years old, the Budapest, Hungary, native holds the Virginia Tech swimming school records in the 500-, 1000- and 1650-meter freestyle competitions, and also in the 400-meter individual medley.

She was also the first Tech distance swimmer to earn All-American honors.

“I started swimming because I was afraid of water,” Hajnal said.

Once she tried it out, she immediately knew she had found her passion.

At nine years old, Hajnal began swimming competitively.

She had always wanted to come to the United States of America. When Hajnal was about to graduate from high school, she talked to her friend from Tech who told her about the school and its swimming program.

She then e-mailed head coach Ned Skinner about the possibility of swimming for him. With Skinner’s eagerness and Hajnal’s determination, she soon packed her bags for Blacksburg.

In her first year at Tech, she qualified for the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championship, finishing 13th in the 1650 free, 22nd in the 400 IM and 30th in the 500 free.

At the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship, she placed second in the 500 free, third in the 400 IM and third in the 1650 free.

She set her season-best 200 IM time at a meet against the University of Pittsburgh while also taking first in the 200 free.

Because of these accomplishments, Hajnal was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Swimmer of the Week and Rookie of the Year.

“Even though she is from a foreign country, she has immediately embraced Virginia Tech and wants to make this program succeed,” Skinner said.

Hajnal’s successes extended even further when she represented Hungary at the 25th World University Games, participating in the 400 free, 800 free, 1500 free, 400 IM and 200 fly.

In 2003, Hajnal swam at the European Youth Olympic Festival where she won the 400 IM and captured first place in the 10K race.

“She is incredibly gifted and is a natural distance swimmer,” Skinner said. “She just keeps on going like the Energizer Bunny.”

Coming from Hungary to the U.S. took some adjustment.

Hajnal’s family has not been able to see her swim collegiately and, unfortunately, may never see her swim while she is at Tech.

She is able to speak to her family overseas through Skype, and she is improving her English.

Although being an international student has been challenging, she has grown more comfortable during her time at Tech.

“My team is my second family now,” Hajnal said.

One tradition she upholds lies in her game-day attire. Hajnal always wears two caps when swimming because it makes her feel more secure.

With four records already displaying her name on Tech’s record board, Hajnal hopes to make that number grow. Seeing her name is an honor and gives her inspiration. Though she has records, she still finds room for improvement.

“I need to improve on my turns,” she said. “I also need to use my legs more.”

While she is a competitive athlete, she is the first to warm up and cool down, and she does so with a smile on her face. Her eagerness lifts the team’s spirits.

“She is just a happy person, a kind person, and that more than anything is what makes it so enjoyable for us,” Skinner said.

Hajnal has a true love for her coaches and teammates.

“She is really positive and never gets down,” said junior swimmer Lauren Ritter. “She’s a great person to train with.”

If a swimmer disobeys a rule or is ever late, they must swim with Hajnal during practice. Everyone immediately moans. Her natural ability and pretty strokes give her the speed and endurance that leaves others struggling in water behind her.

While the mile competition is her favorite race, she loves all distances.

When she isn’t swimming in the pool she likes to watch movies.

“Mostly comedies and action,” she said.

At the end of the day, however, Hajnal says she owes her accomplishments to her coaches.

“They get me mentally ready,” she said. “It wasn’t just me placing in the ACC Championship, it was my team and my coaches as well.”