The daughter of Lisa and Hank McRoberts and sister of Henry and Margot, Adelaide is one of the bright lights in area and regional sports. Last year in her first prep season, she won the 100 butterfly in record time and also took first in the 100 backstroke.

As versatile and she is successful, McRoberts is well on her way to her breaking more U.P. records and seems likely to be headed for a collegiate swimming career.

Let’s meet the dynamic young Flivver swimmer.

Q: Did you go to the U.P. Finals this year with the specific goal of breaking the 50 freestyle record?

Adelaide McRoberts

A: I was hoping I could but at the same time you never know what can happen. I mean, it’s only 50 yards, so one little mess-up and the race could be messed up. For me, it’s kind of just kicking the whole time and having a fast tempo with your arms and not breathing is a big one.

Q: You don’t breathe at all in the 50?

A: Well, for the 50 I only breathe once.

Q: In that race, did you get a sense that you were ahead?

A: It’s hard in the 50 because it’s so fast, it’s hard to see if someone’s around you or not. But right away, I could tell that Joanne (Arbic, the previous record holder from Sault Ste. Marie) was right next to me. I couldn’t really see other people. I could see her next to me, but after the turn I didn’t see her and I was like, ‘I think I’m ahead.’

Q: Have you ever lost that race in high school?

A: No, not in high school.

Q: In the 200 IM, you were so far ahead and won by 12 seconds. Take me through that race.

A: That’s not my fastest time, that’s actually about five seconds slower than my fastest time. My first butterfly and my backstroke, my splits were very good, my splits were what I wanted, but I’ve been having shoulder issues so my shoulder was getting sore in my breaststroke.

Q: What’s wrong with your shoulder?

A: It’s sore and I’ve been going to physical therapy. My scapula always gets out of place, kind of.

Q: How did you feel going up to the U.P. Finals? Were you worried about your shoulder?

A: I felt ready going into it. I was obviously nervous, more for the 50 freestyle, just considering freestyle is not my stroke. And i told my coach that I wanted to do the 50 freestyle finals if I could because I wanted to go up against the girl from the Soo. And I thought I had a shot at getting the record and I wanted to try it and see what happened.

Q: How did you feel the team performed?

A: I think everyone overall did quite well and I was happy with our relays. We ended up dropping, I think, almost three seconds in our medley relay, and overall the whole year, we all had a good year in our relay. And it was kind of funny because three of them are sisters (seniors Samantha and Sydney Scott and freshman Sierra Scott).

Q: That’s unusual.

A: Yeah, and before the relay I was kind of talking them up saying, ‘You guys are sisters and this is your last relay together!’

Q: Have you had a role model on the team?

A: I think who I really looked up to this year was Maggie Menghini. She’s the captain and she’s a senior. Overall, she’s just a good friend and just gave really good advice, not just about swimming but overall. And she was always there to talk to and be with at practice.

Q: How did you get started swimming? Just jump in a lake?

A: I have a pool at my house so growing up, you know. After a few incidents with me, I eventually learned how to swim (laughing). When I was little, you know, reaching for a ball, I went straight down.

Q: When did you start swimming competitively?

A: I joined the YMCA team when I was 5.

Q: Have you tried other sports?

A: I tried a bunch of sports growing up, just a little bit of everything. I did dance for a long time, but I think in fourth grade or fifth grade, I quit that because I just really liked swimming and it’s so time consuming.

Q: How time consuming?

A: It’s year-round. I take a week off in August and a week off in April. But aside from that, it’s every day.

Q: Do you ever get tired of it?

A: This past summer I got a little tired of it, just because I stayed in Green Bay (McRoberts swims for a YMCA team in Green Bay as well). And you know, mornings, afternoons, lifting all that stuff, you get tired of it. So I took three weeks in August after training camp I had out in California and I think that was good for me.

Q: When did you realize you were good?

A: When I was 7, I made states for the first time. I qualified for the 8-and-under age group, so I was on the younger end. I qualified for the 25 yard fly, which is just one length, and I was ranked second to dead last. But I didn’t know, I was just, ‘Wow, I’m in Milwaukee for a swim meet.’ And I ended up taking third and getting a trophy, so i was like, ‘Wow, maybe I can do this.’

Q: Why do you think you’ve been so successful so early?

A: I come from an athletic family, not swimming specifically, but lots of people in my family have done sports and my parents have done sports. But I think most of it is just work and dedication. I mean, I swim every day. Summers with two-a-days. Nutrition is a big part. I’m always thinking about it, so there’s really no off-time.

Q: What are your hobbies when you do have time for something else?

A: I like to decorate cakes in my free time for people. And I baby sit most of my free time. too.

Q: What are your goals for your final two years of high school swimming?

A: I’d like to hopefully get some more U.P. records. And I hope to eventually swim in college, so I’m hoping that high school will help give me more exposure for that.

Q: Is it bad to eat before swimming?

A: I think it depends on the person. I don’t like to eat a lot before I swim. I usually have a couple bites of a bagel, some yogurt and then two cups of black coffee. I drink coffee on the bus ride and then I have one and I take a couple chugs before my event. I really like black coffee.

Jerry DeRoche can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 244, or at jderoche@ironmountaindailynews.com.