WASHINGTON (June 25, 2021) – Howard University advertising major rising senior Kennedy Lewis continued the 2020-21 Senior Spotlight series with a grad edition, featuring swimmer Abolade Oyetunji (Pembroke Pines, Fla.)
 
Q: What is your favorite part about swimming? 
A: My favorite part about swimming is the competitive nature. I always try to improve on important areas of my life and swimming was one of those aspects. I truly enjoyed seeing the results of my hard work in the gym and in the pool payoff with victories and personal best.
 
Q: How did you get started in swimming? 
A: As a child living in Florida, my parents placed me in swim classes at age three for safety reasons. I did recreational swimming until age 11. Then, I began competing more seriously.
 
Q: What kept you motivated? 
A: My teammates and coaches kept me motivated. In my opinion, competing on the collegiate level is different because the sport becomes less individual and more of a full team effort.
 
Howard Swimming and Diving took this camaraderie to another level, a factor that makes our team unique. We pushed each other to reach our full potential and the pride of winning a meet, especially at home, was unmatched. Such an achievement could not be attained without a full team effort.
 
On the other hand, all my coaches always told me to 'trust the process.' So, whenever I felt frustrated with my performance or felt like giving up because of the consistent pain, my coaches always helped me visualize my end goal, which always pushed me to keep going. 
 
Q: If you were not competing in swimming, what other sport would you do? 
A: I always wanted to compete in gymnastics, but I'm not coordinated enough (lol).
 
Another sport is possibly track and field, but I don't like to run without music and I have terrible hand-eye coordination (lol), which is why swimming is the perfect sport for me.
 
Q: Who is your favorite athlete? How have they motivated you? 
A: My favorite athlete is Alia Atkinson, Jamaican Olympian and World Record holder. Alia and I swam on the same team at home (South Florida Aquatic Club) and, as I got older, trained together. Her work ethic and speed always inspired me. She is so friendly and down to earth and always encouraged me during practice.
 
Q: What's your most memorable Howard experience? 
A: My most memorable experience has to be Homecoming 2019 because my friends from home and Howard met each other. Both of my worlds collided and that weekend was full of love and smiles, reaffirming that I had the best set of friends in the world.
 
Q: What are your plans post-graduation? 
A: I will attend the University of Florida, Levin College of Law, focusing on criminal and family law. 
 
Q: What or who will you miss at Howard? 
A: I will definitely miss my friends, teammates and The Yard.
 
The friendships made during my freshman week are still strong today and our bond continues to grow.
 
I was so blessed to be part of Howard University Swimming and Diving and compete at a high level with such talented and unique people who look just like me.
 
Lastly, The Yard during spring semester was unforgettable.
 
Q: What advice would you give future Bison? 
A: In the words of my coaches, 'trust the process.' Matriculation through Howard University is no easy task; however, the payoff is so invaluable that it's worth it.
 
You'll endure challenges along the way, but those moments will build you into the person that you're meant to be, if you put in the work.
 
Personal growth is guaranteed just by attending Howard, and after four years, I promise you will look back and be grateful. 
 
Q: Who would you like to thank? 
A: I would like to thank my parents, specifically my mom for encouraging me to continue swimming after high school.
 
I would also like to thank Howard Alumna and former swimmer Gail Young, who put Howard on my radar and put me into contact with Coach Nicholas Askew (Howard Director of Swimming & Diving). Coach Nic and Coach Salim King (Howard Swimming & Diving Assistant Coach) were such amazing coaches and I can't possibly thank them enough.
 
Finally, I would like to thank Dr. Keesha Middlemass, Attorney Angela Minor, and Dr. Kay Wright-Lewis for their mentorship, teachings and coursework that helped shape my Howard experience and outlook on the world.
 
About Oyetunji:

• Personal:
  • Hometown: Pembroke Pines, Fla.
  • Major: political science
• Academic Achievements at Howard
  • 2x-MEAC Commissioner's All-Academic Team
  • Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA) Academic Honor Roll (2019-20)
• Athletic Achievements at Howard
  • Competed in the 14th FINA World Swimming Championships in Hangzhou, China

 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.