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Getting to Know Hope Rieser; Question and Answer Session with Standout Swimmer

By Chris Johnson on May 02, 2021 via Connect-Bridgeport.com

 
What’s your favorite movie?
Grease, Dirty Dancing and Beach Party are all probably tied for first.
 
Who is the best high school athlete you have competed against?
Cameron Zuliani from Buckhannon-Upshur has always stood out to me because she kicks for her football team, she plays soccer,, she runs and she is a monster in the pool.
 
Favorite subject in school?
English for sure.
 
Any pre-meet superstitions or rituals?
The day before meets when I have club practice, I rub Tom Plemons’ head. And right before every event I’m in, I shake out my hands. It’s just a way of shaking out all the doubt so I can do my thing.
 
You have to go into quarantine, what three items do you make sure you have with you?
My dog, some good snacks, they can’t be mediocre snacks, and something I can play music on, so probably my phone.
 
What meet of your career sticks out the most?
Freshman year at regionals. I actually had a panic attack right before I was supposed to swim my 100 backstroke and a former Bridgeport swimmer happened to be there and he talked me down and my teammates encouraged me that I could this. I ended up dropping five seconds in that one meet and got third in the region and qualified for states as a freshman.
 
Describe Coach Grisso in one word
Caring for sure. She never fails to just reach out to you even with personal things that I have had going on. She genuinely cares about the person more than the athlete.
 
Celebrity Crush?
The Rock. I’ve always been in love with The Rock and always will be.
 
With the high school swim season over, what are most looking forward to for the rest of the school year?
All the senior festivities coming up, the rose breakfast and graduation and all the graduation parties. Looking forward to having all those last moments with my classmates.
 
Any secret talents that most people would be surprised to know you have?
I can kind of talk my way out of anything. I’ve had multiple people tell me that I should go into politics or become a lawyer because I’m pretty good at making an argument out of nothing but also getting my way out of a lot of things.
 
Who’s the funniest swimmer on the BHS swimming team?
Marcel Rodriguez. He’s hysterical.
 
If you could have theme music when you come out for an event, what song is playing, or what kind of music just gets you fired up?
Me and my Dad have this Red Hot Chili Peppers song (Under The Bridge) that anytime it comes on it doesn’t matter where we are we just jam so it’s just a special moment for me and my Dad.
 
Where’s one place in the world you have never been to that you would like to visit?
Italy or Greece, both are really high on my list.
 
Favorite meal?
Anything my Mom cooks but she makes this enchilada casserole. I don’t know what’s in it but I can eat the whole pan by myself. It’s kind of embarrassing but I regret nothing.
 
Favorite pro or college athlete?
Elizabeth Beisel. She’s an Olympian swimmer. I actually met her a couple of years ago in Charleston. She’s a big reason why I kept swimming in high school.
 
Favorite pro or college team?
UCLA
 
2020 was a rough year for everybody, what’s one positive you can take from it?
My Dad had two strokes and two surgeries in May 2020 and obviously the initial shock was crazy and chaotic but coming through that it made our family stronger as a whole but closer together. It really caused me to prioritize things that I hadn’t in the past. I’ve always considered myself to be pretty level-headed but when you go through something like that you realize that some things in the long run don’t matter but it also opens your eyes to the fact that people have stuff going on in their lives that you have no idea anything about.
 
The coolest animal at the zoo?
The giraffes
 
Most memorable sports moment you have had as a fan?
Bridgeport winning the state football championship in 2019.
 
What’s one thing it seems like everybody you know likes but you can’t stand?
Spoons. I don’t know what it is but it frustrates me a lot when people stir things with spoons. I don’t understand because if you use a butter knife you can get all the way around the edges. If you use a spoon, it’s arched and you can’t. I’m not saying spoons are evil or they don’t have a use but 9 out of 10 times a fork will get the job done.
 
The best thing on TV right now is?
I just finished How I Met Your Mother and I’m enjoying One Tree Hill right now, so either one of those shows.
 
What is the most important thing being an athlete at BHS has taught you?
The value of sportsmanship and time management. I have so much respect for student athletes because of the time management factor.
 
There’s a young kid in the community just getting into swimming, what advice do you give him or her?
Never forget your love of it, never forget why you started it and always remember when it comes down to it, it’s an individual event. Go out and do your thing and don’t worry about anyone else and do the best that you can do.
 
Editor's Note: Photos of Rieser courtesy of www.benqueenphotography.com
 
 



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