Susan Johnson has managed this season to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump that tends to hit most athletes who experience stellar first-year campaigns.

As a freshman, Johnson burst on the scene by setting new school records in several events, including the 200-yard backstroke (1:55.93) and the 100-yard backstroke (54.14). These stellar performances led to various accolades at the end of the year, such as All-American honors and the Big Ten Freshman of the Year honor, which came as a shock for her.

“[Being named Big Ten Freshman of the Year] was really exciting,” Johnson said. “I never expected it so it was a big surprise for me and it really ended the season in a good way.”

Her remarkable accomplishments have assisted in the University of Wisconsin women’s swimming team progression as a team this season and it was this immense development as a program that resulted in Johnson’s decision to enroll at Wisconsin.

“[I decided to attend UW] mainly because I was interested in a program that was looking to improve, not just stay where they were, and I really liked the team,” Johnson said.

The women’s swimming team has, by all means, been vastly improving over the past couple of years. While the team has been blessed with an array of talent, maybe more advantageous is the tight-knit bond that the team shares as a whole.

“I think we have great team unity,” Johnson said. “We get along really well, we really mesh well and I think that really helps us in the water. Since we’re all friends outside the pool, it brings a different atmosphere to the team.”

Also helpful is the team leadership, exhibited mostly by senior Carly Piper. Piper is a 2004 gold medal Olympian on the 800-meter freestyle team that set a world record of 7:53.42. Piper’s amazing skills serve as a role-model-type figure for younger teammates such as Johnson, who are seeking to duplicate her success in the future.

“(Piper’s) definitely a leader and I’ve always looked up to her, especially last year I did and now especially with her Olympic gold medal and everything,” Johnson said. “It’s really nice to have someone that successful on the team.”

Hailing from Toledo, Ohio, Johnson’s high school resume at Notre Dame Academy depicts the successful swimmer she is today. She was the team’s MVP in only her sophomore year and won the state championship in the 100 freestyle as a junior and in the 100 backstroke as a senior.

However, while Johnson’s high school experience assisted her in priming up for the harsh conditioning of collegiate swimming, she is still learning on the fly, as high school can never fully prepare someone for the demanding expectations of NCAA athletics.

“I definitely came in with a good training base so I kind of knew what to expect training-wise coming here to UW, but I knew I was going to have to work hard so that really helped me,” Johnson said. “I think high school more prepared me for the academic side of college rather than the athletics.”

This week, the Badger women’s swimming team travels to West Lafayette, Ind., for the NCAA championships. It will be seeking to place in the top 10 for the second year in a row as it enters the event currently ranked eighth. Personally, Johnson is hoping to compete to the best of her abilities in each of her seven events — the 100-yard butterfly, 100- and 200-yard backstroke, 200- and 400-yard medley relays and the 400- and 800-yard free relays.

“Well, for this weekend I want to place top eight and at least in one of my events to come home with some type of hardware,” Johnson said. “I’m hoping to do the best in the 200 back. I think that’s my best chance to place top eight.”

Despite the added pressures of a national competition, Johnson has prepared for NCAAs like any other meet and has simply been trying to relax.

“(My preparation has been) nothing special, just kind of relaxing and keeping my mind off the meet and not really trying to think about too much,” Johnson said.

Regardless of the outcome of the NCAA championships, Johnson has displayed her extensive repertoire of talent and has immensely improved upon it in only her second year on campus. With the season quickly coming to an end, Johnson can only hope for the best and work to improve both individually and as a team in the offseason.