Homewood-Flossmoor senior Rebecca Mathews doesn't forget much.
Her coach Tim Caldwell said she lets him know every time he forgets something, but Mathews doesn't know why she has a great memory.
"I really don't know, but I do remember a lot," Mathews said, "I guess from years of working at it."
That is also why she is a great swimmer; she has been working at that since she was 5 years old. She has qualified for the state meet in either a relay or in the 100-yard breaststroke for the past three years. The senior co-captain is also an outstanding water polo player on a state powerhouse.
Caldwell has used her in various events and relays, but her top event is the 100 breaststroke.
"I would like to get to state again and my goal is to place," Mathews said. "I don't mind swimming the other events because it helps us and it just makes you a better swimmer."
She and her teammates will be uprooted as the H-F pool is undergoing some work. The Vikings will practice at Lincoln-Way East.
"It is different because I am used to going there (the natatorium) right after school and it is our home," Mathews said. "Now, we get on a bus, but I really don't mind it because we will do anything to get the practice time in and we need the practice time."
Mathews teaches swimming lessons and is involved with the community's swimming and water polo clubs. She also has done well in the classroom, ranking in the top two percent of her class at a very competitive high school. She is a member of the National Honor Society.
Her memory is an important asset, because Caldwell said Mathews remembers everything he tells her to do and he does not have to repeat advice. That may come in handy in a college classroom, where Mathews said she is looking to go into either chemistry or psychology.
"Rebecca is a hard worker, great competitor and follows the game plan," Caldwell said. "She is probably a better water polo player than a swimmer, and I mean that as a compliment because Rebecca is a outstanding swimmer."
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