Oulu, Finland----Following a successful intercollegiate career, Wingate University Swimming alumnus Sebastian Holmberg ('18) faced a question graduating student-athletes face: to swim or not to swim?
 
Holmberg opted to continue his athletic journey, qualifying for the Swedish National Team and earning a spot in the upcoming Nordic Swimming Championships (Friday through Sunday). The Wingate Athletic Communications office caught up with Holmberg to get his thoughts on his road to the Nordic Swimming Championships.
 
Sebastian Holmberg, in his own words:
 
After the NCAA championships in Greensboro, I was not sure if I wanted to continue swimming after college. I decided to stay out of the pool for three months and focus on weight training. After my May 2018 graduation, I went back home to Sweden and set up a meeting with the former national coach of Sweden, who is a friend of mine.
 
Together, we came up with a plan which consisted of doubling the amount of weight lifting I had done before and drastically decreasing the amount of yardage I swim every session. Our reasoning for this was because I had decided to swim only the shorter sprint events (50 meters – 100 meters).

My new journey started on June 11, 2018. I was thrilled and excited because for the first time in my swimming career, I was trying something completely different from what I had ever done before. In just a few months, I changed my mind from quitting swimming to being very motivated with one goal in mind, making the Swedish National Team. I still worked out about 10-12 times a week with six two-hour weightlifting sessions and four-to-six 30-45 minutes swimming sessions.

I believe the preparations went really well, leading up to the Swedish Nationals which took place November 14-18. At this meet, I won the 50 meter butterfly (qualifying for the national team) and three other relays (200 meter free relay, 200 meter medley relay and 400 meter medley relay). We broke the National Record in the 200 medley relay.

While in Finland for the Nordic Swimming Championships (Dec. 7-9), I will swim the 50 meter butterfly, the 50 meter backstroke and the 50 meter freestyle, along with two relay events.
 
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING…about Sebastian Holmberg
 
Kirk Sanocki, head men's and women's swimming coach, Wingate University
 
"I think the most impressive fact…is Sebastian's ability to balance the moving to his professional career with his swimming for the national team. The fact he made the team is a testament to his love for our sport."
 
"Most swimmers, regardless of skill level, stop swimming after college. Sebastian's desire is awesome! He has a good perspective for life and his sport."
 
Tripp Wright ('18), Wingate University swimming alumnus
 
"There are those who talk about their dreams, and others who make it a reality. If you want to find the road to success, you should hang around Sebastian…because this guy defines what it means to follow one's heart." 
 
John Acquaviva, Ph.D., professor of exercise science, Wingate University
 
"Sebastian has a quiet confidence that you can see the minute you meet him. I would not doubt him in any aspect of life.  Sebastian is a winner."
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
A comprehensive, independent and growing university, Wingate serves more than 3,600 students in North Carolina. Founded in 1896, the University offers 37 undergraduate majors as well as graduate and professional programs. Wingate is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences, the Levine College of Health Sciences, the Byrum School of Business, the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences. Wingate blends in-class exploration with out-of-class application to deliver an uncommon and life-changing educational experience.
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past 12 years. Wingate is first in the 2000s among NCAA Division II and North Carolina's colleges and universities with 105 CoSIDA Academic All-America® selections. Wingate is tops among all SAC schools with 114 lifetime Academic All-America® honorees. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com. Current news and videos can be found at www.wingate.edu.