Former Raider Continues Swmiming
9/30/2016 4:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Former Raiders: Cheryl (Johanni) Reinke
Back in the early 1980's, the Wright State swimming & diving program was a young but very successful NCAA Division II program, chocking up All-Americans left and right.
One of those All-Americans recently showed she still has what it takes as she, now 51, won the 120.3-mile 8-Bridge Hudson River Swim. Cheryl (Johanni) Reinke took on the challenge many shy away.
The swim that includes eight bridges is one that few swimmers dare to attempt and even fewer conquer. The cold water of the Hudson River is broken into seven daily swims, ranging from 13.2 miles to 19.8.
A three-time All-American her freshman year, Reinke sustained a shoulder injury that ended her competitive swimming career the following year. After 25 years, with the urging of friends and family, she climbed back into the pool, and an occasional river.
We were able to catch up with her and she updated us on what she has been up to since graduating from WSU in 1987.
Q. Hi Cheryl, thanks for your time. Congratulations on the 8-Bridge title. That's great. Let's start at the beginning and tell us what and how brought you to WSU?
A. The Biomedical Engineering program at WSU was receiving a lot of publicity for its attempt to make paraplegics walk. I was interested in (medical related) engineering so this publicity made my decision easy.
Q. During your time at Wright State, what was it like? The campus was much smaller that it is today but the swimming and diving program was very successful.
A. The campus centered around the “Quad”, the grassed area between the four main buildings. The campus was surrounded by cow pastures and open spaces. For those of us living on campus without a car, the only bar in walking distance was the “Rathskeller”. The swimming and diving program was very successful. Jeff Cavana was hired as the head coach just prior to the start of my freshman year.
Q. What are you up to these days, out of the pool?
A. Professionally, I am controls project engineer for an automation company in Rock Hill, SC. I enjoy swimming, running and biking. I started a master swimming program and I organize a weekly open water swim in our local lake. I dedicate a large portion of my spare time giving back to the sport of swimming by teaching and promoting open water safety.
Q. Are you able to stay in contact with anyone from those days? Are you able to relive those memories?
A. Recently I started to reach out on social media to members and coaches from my time at Wright State. I am interested to try to reconnect and have the opportunity to find out how many still have swimming as a part of their lives.
Q. How did sports help you prepare for your life now? Still keeping involved in sports?
A. The organization that is needed to balance swimming and education and the dedication to excel was a good foundation for my professional career as well as my role and mother. Raising my two children while working full time took balance and organization. As my children became older, I was able to find time to get back into the pool. I originally returned to the pool in order to do triathlons. In 2010, a local open-water legend encouraged me to try open water and I found my new love.
Q. Now, about the Hudson River Swim, how do train for that? They say it is one of the most polluted rivers in the nation plus swimming in it for over 120 miles. That had to be a challenge in itself.
A. The Hudson had been known for its pollution but this swim aims to raise awareness for the work of New York Open Water, Riverkeeper, and Launch 5, all organizations concerned with making the entire length of the Hudson a clean, sustainable and safe environment for all. My preparation took two years as I worked on cold water tolerance, endurance and recovery and nutrition. I am fortunate to work for a company who encouraged my swimming and thus allowed me to flex my work schedule so I could get the 3-5 hour training sessions in. My husband of 30 years, Chris ((WSU, 1986 BS Mechanical Engineering) is my kayaker so we spent most weekend training in the local lake.
Q. So what's up next for you, in and out of the pool?
A. My husband and I are in the process of downsizing now that our two children (Alyona, 22 and Nikolai, 21) are out of the house. I hope to do Swim Around Manhattan Island (28.5 miles), Catalina Channel (20 miles) and Endurance North Dakota Endurance Test (END-WET) (36 miles) in 2017.
Q. Looking back, do you have any advice for the current student-athletes?
A. College is the time for education. After college, most student-athletes move on to a career and the sport becomes a hobby, at best. While athletics teaches how to set goals, manage time, and how to mentally and physically challenge yourself, your education is most important to a successful career.
Thanks again for your time. Hopefully, you can make it back to campus again soon. Good luck with your future. You can click here to read her story from
