Hard work, focus and determination have helped senior swimmer Brittany Wininger become a standout performer at Eastern.

But the key to her success is family.

“My family is the most important thing to me.” Wininger said. “My parents have been to almost every one of my swim meets and my grandparents are and always will be my number one fans and heroes.”

Wininger has been surrounded by water basically since she was a baby.

“My parents were coaching a small club swim team when they threw me in the water at 6 months old and I bobbed to the top and I have been swimming ever since,” Wininger said.

Swimming runs in the Wininger blood. Wininger’s grandfather was a swim official for many years.

Her parents, Brian and Martha, both swam and coached. Her sisters, Morgan and Courtney, are also swimmers.

Wininger made her first swimming accomplishment at age 11 when she won the medley for her age group at the state finals for Indiana. Wininger would also set many records at her high school, Terre Haute South, along with her sisters.

Wininger was recruited to Eastern by head coach Ray Padovan.

Padovan said he knew she had talent, but he had no idea how versatile she would be.

“She was a fairly talented swimmer coming in,” he said. “She was a decent medley swimmer. But over the past three-and-a-half years, she has filled in some tremendous needs for us.”

The respect is mutual. Wininger says Padovan has helped her develop as a swimmer.

“Coach Padovan has been an inspiration for many swimmers during his career at EIU and he has been especially helpful to me,” Wininger said.

Since coming to Eastern, Wininger has set a school record for the 200-yard individual medley and has posted numerous victories.

Wininger’s talent has impressed more than just her coach.

Junior Patty Young has been Wininger’s teammate for three years now and thinks highly of her teammate.

“She is my closest friend on the team,” she said. “She’s a hard worker. Her work ethic is contagious. I look up to her.”

Wininger says she is looking for a spring internship and is looking to graduate in May.

Swimming has always been a part of Wininger’s life and it looks as though that could continue.

“I am majoring in Recreation Administration, so some form of swimming could definitely be in my future,” she said.

Maybe even a future in coaching.

“I might coach one day, if the opportunity presents itself,” she said.