MARQUETTE, Mich. – With a couple of months left of the swim and dive season, senior Emilia Morris sat down with us to reflect on her collegiate career at NMU.

The Okemos native's career dates back to the age of six when her mother, a former swimmer at Michigan State University, introduced Emilia to a club swim team that she was the head coach of. While Morris' specialties lie in only freestyle events, her mother could be found racing in the 100-yard Freestyle along with Butterfly events.

In Morris' decision to swim at a collegiate level, her mother's alma mater was ruled out fairly quickly due to Michigan State having just cut the program. After perusing her options for schools in Division I, II, and III, she realized that the schools in Division II were best suited for her. The main reason she decided to commit to Northern was because of the coaches, "I like how they were really inclusive of the whole team. For some schools, you have to be at a certain speed to go on a training trip, and with us, everyone gets to go. It's the same with our big meets, no matter how fast you are, you get to go," says Morris. 

The former marketing student switched her major to accounting after realizing that she lacked the creative spark that was necessary for the major. "I love the opportunity it gives me, they're always looking for accountants, like everywhere. I like the challenge of it also. I feel like I push myself a lot, especially with swimming, and I wanted something hard," said Morris. Hitting her intended milestone and being able to relax afterward is ultimately how Morris continues to strive for success, "I enjoy the reward of working hard. Like after I work hard, I can take a break." 

Morris's view on a strong work ethic developed early on from watching her parents, even mentioning how one of her aspirations in life is to be as cool as them. "Their work ethic is so inspiring and how far they've gotten with what they've had. I think they're so smart in so many different ways, and they have made a life for themselves out of just a little bit," says Morris. 

While carrying the title of "college athlete" means enduring a very hectic schedule, it also means enhancing skills like time management, using connections on the team to help lighten the workload, and managing one's mental health. Morris considers being a college athlete and long-term Dean's List record to be her greatest accomplishments, "I'm proud of what I know I can do. I think I'm proud of everything that has gotten me to this point, and I still know what else I can do."

Mental health is a huge priority for most college students, especially for athletes. Morris has her own mental health struggles, as mentioned previously, and has learned how to better herself throughout her college endeavors. "I have to remind myself that you're not alone," says Morris. "I feel like I'm a really good mental health advocate, I'm not embarrassed that I go to therapy… I feel like it took me until my sophomore year of college to realize and get past the stigma that it's not embarrassing – pretty much everyone goes through it. I feel like it's big in the swimmers and divers too because the sport is so mental." 

Not only does mental health impact how well one does in the pool, but it also impacts the way one views themself. As women's sports become more prominent and beloved, Morris states how poignant being a woman in a swimsuit is, "I feel like body image is a big issue with women swimmers because we all look different. I don't think our body shape defines if we are faster or slower. It doesn't matter how we look even though there is a stereotype of what a girl should look like in a swimsuit, and we are not like that."

With all the struggles, accomplishments, and new beginnings, Morris looks to the future in hopes that the team will place well at the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Championships in February. "It's my last year swimming in my entire life and I want to finish strong. I don't really care if I go fast or slow, I just want to finish and be happy and content with my legacy," says Morris. After Morris graduates in May with her Bachelor's degree, she intends to work towards her Master's before taking the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) exam in 2025 and starting the job that she already has lined up for in 2026.