N.Ky. girl dreams big, Olympic big

CRESCENT SPRINGS, Ky. - Emily Brunemann started as a Northern Kentucky Clipper and still holds several records for that team.

The time clock clicks by number by number reflecting in the 25-year-old’s silver goggles, as she makes sure that they are securely fastened around her head and face. She takes a deep breath, mouth wide open, and leaps into the bright blue pool water.

The water splashes up onto the platform as she swims under the water, surfacing halfway down the pool’s lane.

"Nothing's unachievable. I'm looking at it as a second chance. Not very many people say they get a second chance to fulfill their dream."

The young swimmer has gone farther and faster in the water than most have on land.

So, how fast is fast?

"For a short course, 25-yard pool like this I still hold the Big Ten and Michigan record for the mile and I did... it's 66 laps and I did it in 15 minutes and 51 seconds."

The 2005 Notre Dame Academy grad starting swimming competitively at age 7.

A disciplined life has led to numerous achievements already—and her life is swimming.

She was a three-time State High School champion; a Larosas's Athlete of the Year; and holds multiple regional titles—but that was just in high school.

Since graduating from high school, she has been the NCAA Champion in the 1650 freestyle; five-time NCAA All-American; USA National Champion in the 1500 freestyle and an Open Water National Champion; and USA Female Open Water Swimmer of the Year in 2009.

And just three weeks ago, she won two World Cups in Hong Kong.

But shiny medals and crystal trophies don't come easy.

"I wake up at 6:15 in the morning; go to the pool, swim for 2 1/2 hours; go directly to a gym and workout with a USA strength coach for about an hour and a half; I'll go home, eat lunch and kind of relax for about 2-3 hours and then I'll go back to the pool for another 2 1/2 hours of swimming; then come home, make dinner and go to bed.”

That means swimming between 50-60 miles every week. And it’s all for her dream.

The Crescent Springs native's dream is the Olympics: London 2012 , swimming the 10K open water competition, and possibly 800 freestyle events.

She didn't make the team in 2008 like her fellow University of Michigan Wolverine and multiple-gold winning Olympic swimmer, Michael Phelps did. But she said that only pushes her to be the best. In fact, she still holds the Big Ten record in the 1650 freestyle and the University of Michigan record holder in the 500, 1000, and 1650 freestyle.

"I don't think I would be where I am had I not been around those type of swimmers who knew what it takes to get to the top, and were at the top, still are at the top."

Now, she's going for the gold.

"The Olympics is the highest meet you can go to."

But the open-water competitive swimmer faced a damaging performance at Nationals this summer.

"It was the roughest conditions I've ever swam through. We swam through four to five foot waves in Fort Lauderdale. I dehydrated on the last thousand of the race. My dad had to carry me out of the water and I was taken to the emergency room for the rest of the afternoon,” remembered Brunemann.

Still, she figuratively kept her head above water, placing sixth, making the U.S. National Team.

Team USA’s qualifying meet is April 29, but it doesn't end there.

"I have to be top two there, and then I'll go to Portugal. And I have to be top nine and the fastest American in Portugal... and then I qualify.”

Once qualified, she heads to the Olympic trials in June.

"This is my dream. I've been dreaming about it since I was a little girl and… I want it all to come true,” she softly laughed.

After the 2012 Olympics, she said that she plans on pursuing a graduate degree in psychology and work toward her doctorate—then continue training for the 2016 Olympics.