Record-Breaking Summer has Oakland's Tomeckova Excited

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia -- It's not often that a swimmer, even at an elite level, will shave an entire second-and-a-half off their personal best over the course of a year.

What's likely even more rare, then, is when that new time sets a national record. But that's what happened when Oakland sophomore Karin Tomeckova swam a 1:02.98 in the 100m backstroke and set a new record for her home country of Slovakia. The time qualified as a 'B' cut for the World Championships.

"Honestly, it has been an amazing feeling because I have improved so much since last year and I proved to myself I can become a great world class swimmer if I keep practicing as hard as I can," Tomeckova wrote in an email. "I have a chance of swimming at the Olympics in three years and I want to do everything [I can to get] there. This summer and The World University Games helped me mentally because competing with great swimmers makes you to want to be better in swimming."

In addition to setting a new national record in the 100m backstroke at the Slovakian Grand Prix, Tomeckova also broke her own record in the 200m back with a time of 2:15.38, also a 'B' cut for the World Championships.

So how did a record-breaking swimmer from central Europe end up at Oakland University? By chance, mostly.

"I always wanted to study in the U.S., so I sent many emails to other universities to increase my chances. My friend who is also from Slovakia told me about Oakland so I tried my luck and asked [head coach] Pete Hovland if he would be interested in having me on his team," she wrote. "After couple of weeks, Pete replied to my email and I ended up a Golden Grizzly."

No matter the early circumstances, Tomeckova is proud to be a part of the Oakland swimming and diving program -- teams that had won 14 consecutive Summit League championships before joining the Horizon League on July 1. And she's made the program proud, too, being named the Summit League Newcomer of the Year for the 2012-13 season. And even half-a-world away, she's looking forward to competing with the Golden Grizzlies again next season.

"I can't wait to practice hard again in September when I am back at OU," Tomeckova wrote. "Now that we are in the Horizon League, new challenges are waiting for me and my team."