VILLANOVA, Pa. - Sara Jurek, a senior on the women's swimming team, has swam in 35 events on the year across eight meets and duals as well as representing the Villanova relay in the Winter National Championships down in Greensboro, N.C. this past December.

The Gilbert, Arizona native has four individual victories on the year and three more in freestyle relay events. Jurek was also named the BIG EAST Women's Swimming and Diving Athlete of the Week on Nov. 11, 2014, one of five conference honors for the women this season as the squad has powered to a 2-0 mark in the conference before the BIG EAST Championships in February.

Last year, she helped Villanova capture its first BIG EAST Championship since 1996 as she won the 200 IM and 400 IM events as well as four relay events at the conference championships.

Villanova.com recently caught up with the Wildcat senior to see how her time has gone at Villanova and on the Main Line for the past four years.

Villanova.com: You're entering the final semester of your senior year at Villanova. How has the experience been so far?
Sara Jurek: "My experience here has been great. I've been challenged in so many ways as a student athlete, but at Villanova you're a part of such a supportive community. It really gives you the opportunity to learn and grow as a person."

After a successful trip to the BIG EAST Championships last season, how is the team preparing in hopes of repeating as conference champions this March?
"We have almost all of our team from last year returning to compete again this year, and we brought in a really strong freshmen class who have made a big impact. We've been working really hard all season and are excited to swim fast at conference again this year!"

When did you first get into swimming?
"I joined a YMCA team in the summer when I was 7 for fun. Two years later, I began swimming year-round for a club team. I tried many other sports, but swimming was what stuck with me."

Do you remember who taught you how to swim?
"My mom taught me a lot when I was in preschool, like how to float and stuff. When I was five and six, I took lessons from a lady in our neighborhood who had a pool in her backyard, and she taught me how to do the different strokes."

What is your favorite event to swim?
"200 freestyle."

What is your favorite memory from the team?
"Winning conference last year was so much fun! These girls are like my second family, and to accomplish that with them was the most rewarding feeling."

In four years at Villanova, what has been the most interesting class you have taken?
"Pathophysiology."

What are your current plans for life after college?
"I need to pass my nursing boards in June to officially be an RN before I start working. I'm currently looking for nursing jobs in a couple different cities, so I'm not sure where I'll be living at this point!"