Penn State swimmer and Schreyer Scholar grateful for return to competition
Penn State swimmer Niki Nolte competed in the 200 medley relay and the 100-yard breaststroke events during the Nittany Lions Jan. 22 meet against Northwestern, her first collegiate races.Image: Penn State Athletics
Penn State swimmer and Schreyer Scholar grateful for return to competition
Jeff Rice
February 17, 2021
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. All told, Nikolette Nolte was in the water for less than 33 seconds, covering two lengths of the pool. But for the Penn State swimmer and Schreyer Honors Scholar, her leg of the 200 medley relay race at Northwestern represented the latest stretch of a much longer journey.
Every THON dancer has a unique reason for committing to the annual 46-hour event. Penn State swimmer Ellie Tiskus is dancing for her teammate, Niki Nolte.
Nolte is a two-time cancer survivor who just recently returned to the pool for the first time in
nearly 30 months. The junior’s journey has been a motivating factor for Tiskus and the rest of her team.
“As a part of the women’s swim and dive team, Niki has been a huge inspiration to all of us,” Tiskus said. “THON for me means the continuation of the
#NikiStrong movement for our team.”
Nolte’s fascinating story will buoy Tiskus throughout the entirety of the weekend, but there is nothing quite like the emotion of Sunday afternoon. Tiskus has a unique chance to connect with the families who have been affected by cancer.
Local news from StateCollege.com and Centre County Partners. Read about ‘A Moment I’ll Never Forget’: Two-Time Cancer Survivor Niki Nolte Returns to Penn State Swimming and Diving and more from the State College, PA region