Sept. 24, 2009
Student-Athlete Profile: Senior Bailey Kuestermeyer
By: Erica Jensen (UNLV Sports Information)
When it comes to competing in more than one sport, Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders have nothing on fifth-year UNLV senior Bailey Kuestermeyer, who is wrapping up a Rebel career that has seen her letter in three different sports. Kuestermeyer came to UNLV as a swimmer, lettering four times in the pool and serving as a captain for two years. From there Kuestermeyer ran two years of track for the Rebels and is currently in her second and final year of competing for the UNLV cross country team.
A native of Puyallup, Wash., Kuestermeyer came to UNLV as a distance swimmer, specializing in the individual medley and breaststroke events. She garnered several awards in her four years as a Rebel swimmer, highlighted by capturing the Mountain West Conference title in the 200 breaststroke her sophomore year earning All-MWC honors. She was named the MWC Swimmer of the Week several times throughout her career and also holds several records on the UNLV all time list. She is fifth in the 1,000 freestyle with a time of 10:15.12, 10th all-time in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:04.86, and she owns the third place spot in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:16.03.
In 2008 she decided to become a two-sport athlete, joining the Rebel track and field team in 2008 as a distance runner for two seasons, competing in the 1,500, 5,000 and 10,000 meter events. Two sports were not enough for Kuestermeyer and in the fall of 2008 she became a member of the Rebel cross country team, where she ran in three events last year and is in her final year of eligibility this fall.
Not only is Kuestermeyer an excellent athlete but she is also an outstanding student. She has been an Academic All-MWC selection since her freshman year, as well as being named a MWC Scholar Athlete in 2008. She earned her bachelor's degree this past May in hospitality management and is now pursuing her master's degree in sports education leadership.
The busy schedule Kuestermeyer has had as a Rebel is nothing new to her.
"In high school, I would go to club swimming practice in the morning, go to school all day, go to track practice and meets, and then go to my club swimming practice at night," Kuestermeyer said. "After that I would find time for homework at night."
Kuestermeyer says she credits her ability to successfully juggle all of her responsibilities to the people around her. Growing up it was her parents who made it all possible.
"My mom would drive me to all of my events, whether it was school, swimming or track, and they were never pushy," Kuestermeyer says. "They supported me in everything I did. When I didn't swim well, they never pressured me and told me I'd do better next time."
As for her multi-tasking at UNLV, she says she wouldn't have been able to accomplish everything she has if it wasn't for her swim coach Jim Reitz.
"Jim played a huge role in it all," Kuestermeyer says. "I was recruited to be a swimmer and he not only gave me permission to participate in other sports but he supported me 100 percent the entire time."
You would think after such a busy college career she would be ready for a break, but it is quite the opposite. After she finishes this last cross country season, Kuestermeyer has plans to start training for triathlons.
"I want to start competing in triathlons, and not just for fun," Kuestermeyer says. "I want to be sponsored and competitive, but first I need to buy a bike."
Seeing as she is a record-setting swimmer and a solid distance runner, triathlons are not too farfetched for her. Kuestermeyer has lived up to every expectation and role that can be expected of a student-athlete and then some. As soon as she buys that bike, look for her on the competitive triathlon scene, as she is bound to be successful.
`Finish the sentence' with Senior Bailey Kuestermeyer
When I'm not running you can usually find me... at home with my roommates and boyfriend, studying, watching T.V., or sleeping.
My favorite sports to play or watch... cycling and I'm getting into golf.
After college I want to... train and get sponsored for triathlons as well as get into the hotel administration field.
My dream job would be... going to cosmetology school and being a celebrity hair stylist.
One thing most people don't know about me... is how much I enjoy eating junk food.
My most memorable moments as a UNLV Rebel are... winning the MWC title in the 200 breast my sophomore year, placing third at the MWC championship meet my senior year in the 1650 free, because I dropped 30 seconds from my previous personal best, and just the overall experience of being a captain my junior and senior seasons in swimming. I learned a lot about myself as a leader.
