Hajnal Is Doing Just Swimmingly, Thank You

Until Erika Hajnal was 6 years old she was afraid of the water.

Now she's 20, and Hajnal, who is from Budapest, Hungary, holds the Virginia Tech swimming school records for the 500, 1,000 and 1,650-meter freestyle competitions and also in the 400-meter individual medley. She is the first-ever Virginia Tech distance swimmer to earn All-American honors.

“I started swimming because I was afraid of water,” said Hajnal. However, once she tried it out, she immediately knew she had found her passion. She began swimming competitively at nine years old.

Since Hajnal had always wanted to come to the United State of America, she talked to her friend from Virginia Tech who told her about the school and its swimming program. She then emailed head coach Ned Skinner about the possibility of swimming for Virginia Tech. With Skinner’s eagerness and Hajnal determination, she packed her bags for Blacksburg.

In her first year at Virginia Tech, she has qualified for the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championship, finishing13th in the 1650-meter 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.

Due to these accomplishments, Hajnal was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Swimmer of the Week and the 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,” said Skinner.

Hajnal’s successes extended even further when she represented Hungary at the 25th World University Games, participating in the 400, 800 and 1,500 free, 400 IM and 200 fly. In 2003, Hajnal swam at the European Youth Olympic Festival where she won the 400 IM in addition to swimming in the 2008 World Cup in Mexico capturing 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.”

While she has had success in the water, coming from Hungary to the U.S. took some adjustment. Her family has not been able to see her swim collegiately and, unfortunately, may never see her swim while she is at Virginia Tech. She is able to speak to her family overseas through the computer program, Skype.

Hajnal is still working on her English. She appeared quiet her freshman year because it was difficult to communicate with her teammates. However, as time progressed, she slowly caught on.

Although being an international student has been challenging, Hajnal says. “My team is my second family now.”

When she isn’t swimmer in the pool she likes to watch movies. “Mostly comedies and action,” she said.

Her love for animals led her to major in wildlife sciences. Her favorite class so far has been Principles of Fisheries and Wildlife Science.

As a pre-race meal, she likes to chow down on pasta. Another tradition she upholds lies in her game day attire. Hajnal always wears two caps when swimming because it makes her feel more secure.

Her drive and mental toughness make it difficult for others to keep up. As punishment, swimmers who disobey a rule or are ever late must swim with Hajnal during practice. Everyone immediately moans. Her natural ability and pretty strokes give her the speed and endurance that leave others drowning behind her.

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

Despite her competitive drive, Hajnal is a genuinely happy person. She is the first to warm up and the first to 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,” said Skinner.

Hajnal has a true love for her coaches and teammates.

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

Hanging above the pool in War Memorial is Virginia Tech’s record board. With four records already displaying her name, 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.”

At the end of the day, however, Hajnal says she owes her accomplishments to her coaches. Her feats could not have been done without their help and motivation. “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.”