“I like to give everything a try,” said Katharine Kaftanski, who seemingly would be an ideal Nike spokeswoman with her fearless “Just do it” attitude. At various times in her life, the Seagulls swimmer has completed 1,000 consecutive bounces on a pogo stick (“I pogo-stick like no other!”), tap-danced in a school production of “No, No Nanette,” and – possibly most daring of all – tried to boss around her twin brother.
Michael V. Martina / The Herald
Coach’s corner: First-year Everett swim coach Jo Blue, 23, appreciates Kaftanski’s commitment and leadership. “She’s been great as far as being a captain goes,” Blue said. “I think I would be lost without her.”
The Natural: Kaftanski swims the 200-yard individual medley, the 200 medley relay, the 400 freestyle relay and the 100 backstroke. The latter is far and away her favorite. “Some swimmers just excel in certain strokes,” she said. “(The backstroke) comes more naturally to me.”
Twin power: Kaftanski has a twin brother, Matt, who also attends Everett and is a standout runner and swimmer. The twins see things differently from time to time (mainly because Katharine is 5-foot-2 and Matt stands 6-1), but they often help each other with homework. “I really enjoy having a twin brother,” Katharine Kaftanski said. “We kind of complement each other.”
Democracy in action: Kaftanski turned 18 last month. Her first task? She registered to vote.
So long, soccer: If it weren’t for a string of severe knee injuries, Kaftanski would be playing soccer instead of swimming. But, starting with a ligament tear during her freshman soccer season, Kaftanski endured three surgeries and was forced to give up her favorite sport. “It was my love,” she said, “but I had to call it quits.” These days, Kaftanski gets her soccer fix working at Sporthaus Schmetzer, a soccer equipment store in South Everett.
Full plate: Kaftanski is president of the National Honor Society’s Everett High Chapter, Senior Class Vice President and Environment Club Treasurer. She also volunteers at a local hospital.
Best TV show: “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”
Terrible TV shows: “Dr. Phil” and reality court programs such as “Judge Judy.” Said Kaftanski: “I don’t know why that stuff needs to be on TV.”
Mike Cane, Herald writer
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