Junior Tanner Sonnek made a splash at swim nationals this week as he represented Gustavus in the 100 and 200 yard breaststroke.

Ranked third and fourth in the nation for his two events prior to nationals, Tanner took on the top ranked competitors in the D3 level, racing against some of the best in the country.

Placing in the top eight, Tanner won All-American for the 100 yard breaststroke for the second year in a row.

Tanner began swimming in the ninth grade after being encouraged by his sister and her diving team and has not looked back since, joining the Mantas Swim Club in order to follow his passions and find others with the same drive.

Tanner enjoys the community within the Gustavus team, but also the connections he is able to make with students from other schools.

“At the end of the day we all support each other,” Tanner said, reminiscing on one the first events of nationals in which the Gustavus and St. Thomas swim teams merged together to cheer on the girls’ event.

Being part of a team is extremely important to Tanner, who values the community fostered at Gustavus.

“Tanner has encouraged me to become a better teammate by keeping a positive atmosphere as well as pushing me so I can help push others in the pool. Essentially it is a domino effect throughout the team,”Andrew Peters, fellow swim team member, said.

While Tanner focuses much of his energy on swim practices and making an impact in the swim world, he also performs well in the classroom, impressing teachers and students alike.

“Being a swimmer is always difficult,” Professor Christopher Gilbert of the political science department said. “All student athletes work incredibly hard, but the swim season never ends.

“Tanner is outstanding in the water, but he is in the classroom as well. You would never know he has any other demands. He does terrific work and other students really look up to him.”

Tanner cites his political science classes for broadening his perspectives of the world, perhaps the reason for his ability to connect with so many people around him.

“Because of my major,” Tanner said, “I am able to take a step back and think about why a person is acting or thinking a certain way.”     

Professor Kate Knutson remembers Tanner’s presence in her J-Term class where students took on a subject directly linked to the St. Peter community.

She was impressed by his ability to work well with others, but also his communication skills with those outside Gustavus, such as the St. Peter city council and police force.

“While great in the classroom, whenever I see him on campus, it is always with a huge smile and he is always so warm and friendly,” Knutson said, noting Tanner’s ability to make an impact in every aspect of his life, personal and professional.      

When Tanner is not training for the swim season or studying for his political science and econ classes, he also enjoys spending time with his fraternity, Alpha Chi Delta, who Tanner describes as “a good group of guys who want to make a difference by focusing on their philanthropy and the St. Peter and Gustavus community.”

A faith-based fraternity, the Chi’s support Royal Family Kids, a nonprofit which creates a network of camps across the United States for foster youth. “It is so important for them to have their time as kids.”

Tanner said. “A lot of these kids have near nothing. We want to give them a week where they can do whatever they want, where they can establish their trust with humanity.”

The Chi’s encourage their members to become counselors for the week long camps, but also enjoy supporting Royal Family Kids by raising awareness for the cause and helping set up events when they can.

While Tanner enjoys growing and gaining new perspectives at Gustavus, his upcoming senior year is approaching way too fast.

“I’ll be sad to leave,” Tanner said. “It’s always hard to see the seniors go because you get to know them so well, but becoming a senior yourself is so rewarding because you get to know more people every year.”

While his final year may be approaching, there is no way Tanner is going to find himself sliding into the senior slumps.

“There is so much to do at Gustavus.” Tanner said. “It is really easy to find a community that loves the same things as you. No matter your passion, there is going to be someone with the same interests.”

Tanner has found these passions all across campus. From the swimming pool to the halls of Old Main, you can be sure to see Tanner anywhere with a giant smile on his face.

Tanner is always encouraging others to embrace their time on the hill just as much as he has, and contributing to the Gustavus community that he both treasures and embodies.