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Keegan excelled in meteorology
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, Florida – Being a scholar-athlete at Florida Tech takes an incredible amount of hard work and dedication to excel both in the classroom and on the field.
In this Scholar-Athlete Spotlight, we feature Panther swimmer Emma Keegan, a sophomore majoring in meteorology.
Having arrived at State Tech from her hometown of Sarasota, Emma’s best performances last season were a 1:08.57 in the 100 breast at the November Panther Invitational, which placed sixth, and a fourth-place 2:34.77 in the 200 breast in October against Lynn.
In the year Following her freshman year in 2021-22, Emma was named to the State Conference Commissioner’s and Florida Tech’s Athletics Director’s Honor Roll.
As Emma’s sophomore season at Florida Tech draws to a close, we chatted with Emma about what she’s most excited about this season, how real life has become a part of her classes, and her plans in the weather world.
What is your major at Florida Tech and why did you choose it? Is it something you’ve always wanted to do?
I am a meteorologist, and I have wanted to do meteorology for a long time since I was a child. One of the first things I saw on the computer was weather maps, hurricanes and all that good fun stuff and it traveled with me through my teenage years and now into adulthood and it’s always been something I’ve loved. In Care Of.
I love rain, I love storms, I love hurricanes and tornadoes, I love them all.
What was it about Florida Tech that made you want to be here?
I think it’s a combination of everything. I had a meteorology degree awarded to me. I had a varsity swim appearance that was offered to me, I’ve been a swimmer for 11 years, so I wanted to make sure I was doing that for my college career, I wanted to carry that with me.
Overall, the location was great because I just moved to Florida and it’s not too far from my parents so they can always visit whenever they want to see me.
How do you plan to use your degree after graduation?
At first I wanted to work somewhere in the research department with NOAA or SpaceX, but I’m thinking more about getting into the broadcast field, I want to work in TV. I’d love to be on ABC or AccuWeather forecast, either are great at this point.
Have you had a chance to visit the National Weather Service office in Melbourne?
I haven’t, but it’s been a dream of mine to go there one day and in the future, whether I’m here or visiting from home, I hope I’ll try to see the national weather. Serving in person.
What are some fun projects you’ve been able to work on here in the classroom?
One of my favorite projects I took a few semesters from Dr. [Michael] Split in aviation meteorology, we have to do a whole project about clouds.
We need to take pictures of clouds, identify them, and really get into the nitty gritty. We’ve broken down the classifications, down to the types of clouds and how high they rise.
We’ve seen METARs, which are little blankets for pilots to let them know it’s okay to land if the weather permits. They are pretty basic for pilots and the like.
It was really cool to see myself doing something like this, I never thought I’d start doing small things like clouds, but now I’m enjoying my first step every day.
Classes can often include current events in discussions and the weather is no exception. How many headlines were hurricanes Ian and Nicole this year?
A lot came during my studies. Even my general classes always asked if there was a meteorologist to explain what was going on in the room.
It was hard for me because my hometown is on the west coast of Florida. So, we were contacted directly by Ian and I was in constant communication with my family, trying to make sure everyone was luckily okay but it was more important for my family’s safety and to stay on top of the weather. The safety of my roommates and all so it was very interesting to see and live in the history of the weather. It’s fun, but it’s also scary, you know?
The swimming season usually lasts about five months, and between the many road trips and practices, how do you balance everything once the summer starts?
I generally like to keep track of my schedule with my sleep. I am very religious about my sleep, I always make sure I get at least seven hours of sleep a day because it carries me through the day.
It helps me be a better person in my day, better at school, better at the pool, better at homework, better at my diet or better when I’m relaxed and not working. Any strict. It’s something I keep with me throughout the day.
Also, it’s important to make sure you keep up with schoolwork. If I can, I always try to finish tasks early if I have that free time.
I work to try and finish that work, so I don’t worry about it later, when I’m too tired during the week, with exercises.
What did being a college athlete prepare you for your current career and take away from the pool you apply to for your education?
I think swimming instilled in me the same kind of thinking as walking. You can’t fight water, you have to go with it, be with it and slide with it, work around it. If you are an artist, it is your canvas and you must work as hard as you can to push towards that goal. So I think that’s what has carried me through my whole life.
I can’t stick to one thing, I have to go with the flow, I have to allow myself to enjoy the good things in my life and deal with some of the bad things, but it’s all part of life’s journey.
I think that’s what I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life and into adulthood. That mindset of going with the process and allowing things to happen that way.
What advice would you give to an athlete coming to Florida Tech interested in meteorology?
I will say three things. Number one, make sure you get sleep. Number two, please keep up with your coursework and finish it two weeks early, even if you need it, it will be worth it, I promise.
Three I would say have fun, live in the moment, enjoy your time with your teammates, and enjoy your time with your coaches. Enjoy your time outside of sports, go to social events, hang out with friends. This is your time to do whatever you want.
What was your favorite memory from last season?
My favorite memory was definitely at the Sunshine State Conference Championship when the girls relay got NCAA. [Championship qualifier] cut down.
This was one of the most exciting races of all time. I was lined up next to the coaches when they were doing some splits and I remember all of us exploding, jumping and screaming.
I was crying, even though I wasn’t part of that relay, those are like my sisters. We’re all one big family and when that success goes through the team, it makes me tear up and proud, that I was a part of that moment and that I was there to see that in person.
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