What do pop sensation Nick Jonas and swimming superstar Konner  Brewer have in common?

They both juggle hectic lifestyles and daily battle diabetes.  Sophomore Konner Brewer qualifies as a stellar athlete, kicking off her fourth year swimming for AHN with two state gold medal’s already hanging in her room.

Brewer’s introduction to the sport began accidentally. Head swim coach Bill Shaffer first discovered the natural soccer player swimming leisurely one day after practice. Noticing her natural feel for the water, he asked her to try the swim team. Konner, with nothing to lose, agreed to try the sport. Little did she know, her natural talent in the sport would allow her to race competitively against girls who have been swimming all their lives. Shockingly, this year is the energetic and bright-eyed sophomore’s fourth year swimming ever.

Only on her second year swimming and an eighth grader, Konner qualified and placed 16th individually in the 100-yard freestyle at the 2A state championship meet.  The 200-yard freestyle relay team, including Konner, won their first gold medal the same year.

Brewer said, “When we won the gold in the relay, I felt really relieved because it was over and we did it. I feel a lot of pressure to try to win again because everyone expects us to do it.”

Brewer’s aquatic career was not limited to merely swimming either. She dove her first year in seventh grade. However, once the season concluded, Coach Shaffer wanted her to compete solely in swimming so she could be placed in more events for the team to earn maximum points

Konner hopes to make the relay team again but the 2012 AHN team promises a lot of depth and many girls could qualify to be on the relay.  “My goal for the team this season is to be top three at states.”

Besides her talent in swimming, Brewer also knows how to hit the books, managing a rigorous academic schedule. She says that she can balance the challenging academics with swimming, but she can not watch much TV because of her substantial time commitments.

On top of her demanding academic and swim schedule, the sophomore constantly battles diabetes.  “I have to check my blood sugar halfway through practice. If it is low, I stay out until it gets higher, but if it is normal, I can keep swimming.”

Brewer  loves the family atmosphere of the team and cannot wait for the upcoming season.  She continues to practice extensively in hopes to beat her personal bests, while helping her team steal titles at championship meets at the end of the season.

“I think that I benefit the team with my a positive attitude and upbeat personality.”