CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Olympic Games are the epitome of sport. It’s the biggest stage in the world and the grandest of all spectacles. The 2024 Paris Olympics were no different. For Nebraska Wesleyan University women’s swimmer Kayla Hepler, she embodied the spirit of the games and the essence of why it’s the ultimate goal for any swimmer.
 
Hepler, who represented her home country of Marshall Islands, competed in the 50-meter freestyle.
 
Her road to the Olympics was one filled with blood, sweat, and tears, and she’s extremely grateful for the opportunity to represent her country and make them proud.
 
“I had to do three trials in order to qualify for the Olympics,” Hepler said. “I was nervous, excited, relieved when I did qualify for the Olympics. I couldn't believe that I was actually going to the Olympics and my dream had finally come true.”
 
It’s been a long road for Hepler, and as she reflects on her experience, she is very proud of how her Division III and NWU experience helped her reach the pinnacle of her career.
 
Preparing for the Olympic Stage
Being a student-athlete is no easy feat, especially at the collegiate level. It takes a lot of hard work, discipline, and dedication.
 
The Division III level is unique because the student-athlete experience is centered around academic and athletic balance. It’s about excelling in the classroom and in the pool.
 
For Hepler, being a student-athlete at NWU has helped prepare her for the Olympic stage in more ways than one.
 
“Well, it has kept me in shape, mentally prepared. Being a Division III student-athlete kept me in the swimming mindset whenever I stepped foot inside the pool,” Hepler said. “Having the very best coach who has known me for a few years now, Kyle Hunt; he really was supportive of my swimming and definitely helped me to get to where I am today. I couldn’t thank him and Rieker, the assistant coach, for preparing me for the Olympics.”
 
Hepler is eternally grateful for the support and guidance she’s received from her coaches and the entire NWU community. She knows that she wouldn’t be where she is today without the unwavering support she’s received from her coaching staff and teammates.
 
“Kyle, Rieker, and the rest of the team have been so supportive of me, and I couldn’t be more appreciative of that,” she said.
 
An Experience of a Lifetime
As Hepler walked into the Olympic Village in Paris, she was in awe of the sheer magnitude of the event.
 
The Olympic Village is a sprawling complex that houses thousands of athletes from all over the world. It’s a melting pot of cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds, and Hepler was honored to be part of it.
 
“The Olympic Village was humungous, and I didn't really think of how many people actually lived there until I saw it with my own two eyes,” Hepler said. “The food was okay, but the chocolate muffin that everyone was talking about was so hard to stay away from. It was so good.”
 
For Hepler, the best part of the Olympic experience was just being around her fellow athletes and soaking in the atmosphere.
 
“I had so much fun meeting new people and seeing old friends that I have competed with before,” she said. “I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to represent my country and make them proud.”
 
Hepler also had the chance to meet some of her idols and athletes she has looked up to over the years.
 
“I saw Simone Biles, Serena Williams, Shaine Casas, and Simone Manuel,” Hepler said. “It was amazing to be in the presence of so many great athletes and to be part of something so much bigger than myself.”
 
When asked about her favorite memory from the Olympics, Hepler didn’t hesitate to answer.
 
“My favorite memory was definitely enjoying the experience with my swim friends,” she said. “Hanging out at the Athlete Club with them, riding bikes, and swimming alongside them was definitely my favorite part of the Olympics.”
 
A Message to Aspiring Athletes
As Hepler looks back on her Olympic journey, she can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and appreciation for the people who have supported and guided her along the way.
 
From her coaches at NWU to her friends and family back home, Hepler knows that she wouldn’t be where she is today without their love and support.
 
If she could give any advice to aspiring athletes striving to compete at the Olympics, it would be this: “Always try your best, never give up, and know that you have people around you who love and support you.”
 
Hepler’s Olympic journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, and she is excited to see what the future holds.
 
As she prepares for her final season at NWU, she knows that she’ll carry the lessons and memories from the Olympics with her for the rest of her life.
 
“I would like to thank all my coaches, especially Kyle Hunt, for supporting and guiding me along the way,” Hepler said. “I couldn’t thank you enough. To my friends and family, thank you for your love and support. To the training camp, Azura, thank you guys for the great memories. You guys definitely helped me to get to where I am today. Komol Tata (Thank you) and love you all!”