Questions and Answers

Question: What’s the name of the college that you attend?

Lawrence Sapp: University of Cincinnati [UC].

Question: Did you look at other colleges?

Lawrence Sapp: Yes.

Question: Why did you choose the University of Cincinnati?

Lawrence Sapp: Because I liked the campus, it was a big school, they had a good swim team.

Question: Was this an easy or difficult decision?

Lawrence Sapp: Kind of hard. I looked at other schools too, but this ended up being the best for me.

Question: What year are you in college?

Lawrence Sapp: Freshman.

Question: Do you live on campus?

Lawrence Sapp: Yes. In a dorm.

Question: Can you tell us more about your dorm?

Lawrence Sapp: My dorm is very nice. I live in a two-bedroom suite with four other guys. There’s a laundry room downstairs where I can use my Bearcat card to pay to use the machines. I have my own mailbox and I get an email whenever there are packages waiting for me at the front desk.

Question: Is this your first time living away from home?

Lawrence Sapp: Yes.

Question: How has this experience been for you?

Lawrence Sapp: It’s been a lot of fun. I’ve traveled with swimming away from home before, so this wasn’t hard for me.

Question: What is good about living at college?

Lawrence Sapp: I can go wherever I want. I make a lot of friends and meet lots of new people.

Question: What is difficult about living at college?

Lawrence Sapp: Sometimes I have to see the same people a lot.

Question: What are some things that you like to do when you’re not in class?

Lawrence Sapp: You can walk or skateboard around campus. You can play football with friends, go to restaurants, go shopping, go to parties, make dates. I like video race car games.

Question: How are classes going for you?

Lawrence Sapp: I am doing good. The last week in August I went to real classes on Wednesday and Friday. [Online classes] are so boring; they are stressful. Covid makes you stay away from people. I want harder classes, a higher level next year. I work hard, focus on classes, on school, study, and do my homework.

Question: Can you tell us more about your classes?

Lawrence Sapp: I take some classes in person and some on my computer.

Question: You mention that you want harder classes and a higher level next year. Did you get to pick your classes this year or did someone else choose them for you?

Lawrence Sapp: I chose the classes, but because of the program that I’m in, I have to choose from some of those classes.

Question: Why do you think they are too easy? Are they regular college classes or specialized classes only for students in your program?

Lawrence Sapp: Most classes are only for students in my program.

Question: What classes would you like to take instead?

Lawrence Sapp: I want to take more classes with other students at the school so that I feel like I’m really part of the college.

Question: Do you feel like you’re being included with the other college students?

Lawrence Sapp: Yes.

Question: What kinds of things do you do with other college students?

Lawrence Sapp: I eat and hang out with them at restaurants and other activities.

Question: Do you take classes with them? If so, which ones?

Lawrence Sapp: No, I don’t take classes with them, but I want to.

Question: Do you live with them or only with students from your program?

Lawrence Sapp: Only students from my program.

Question: Do you go to parties with them?

Lawrence Sapp: Because of coronavirus, there aren’t lots of parties, but they do invite me places.

Question: Are you in clubs and organizations with other college students?

Lawrence Sapp: Yes, the swim club, and I played flag football.

Question: What do you like about being at the University of Cincinnati?

Lawrence Sapp: I like the campus, a new place. I like to walk around campus or ride my skateboard. I like making new friends.

Question: What don’t you like about being at the University of Cincinnati?

Lawrence Sapp: I am pretty disappointed that sports aren’t on. Everyone hates Covid; the goal is just to hang on until it goes away. There’s no training until next semester. Some of my swimmer friends are pretty sad.

Question: You’re an amazing swimmer and on the U.S. National Paralympics Swimming team and we are rooting for you to go to Tokyo in 2021. How are you training while on campus?

Lawrence Sapp: Easy. I swim from 6:00 to 7:10 a.m. At home I got up at 4:00 a.m. to practice before school.

Question: Can you tell us more about your swimming experience? Are you swimming at college?

Lawrence Sapp: No, I signed up for the club team, but they aren’t practicing right now. I want to swim on the varsity team, but there isn’t enough space for me.

Question: Are you on a team or practicing on your own?

Lawrence Sapp: Practicing on my own.

Question: What is that like for you?

Lawrence Sapp: It’s hard because I’m used to practicing with a coach every day.

Question: Do you wish it were different?

Lawrence Sapp: Yes. I need to train so that I can make the team going to Tokyo next year. I want to go to Tokyo, and I want a medal.

Question: Do you have friends at college who swim?

Lawrence Sapp: Yes.

Question: Are they on a team or just practicing on their own?

Lawrence Sapp: Some are on a team, and some are practicing on their own.

Question: Do they practice with you?

Lawrence Sapp: They don’t practice with me. Because of coronavirus, it’s only one person per lane, and we have to reserve lane times.

Question: What do you have to do to use the pool at UC?

Lawrence Sapp: I go online and make appointments for lanes.

Question: How do you feel about this?

Lawrence Sapp: It’s okay.

Question: What are things that you think you need help with at UC?

Lawrence Sapp: I want to know more about different classes. I am a little scared or nervous about work, so I focus on classes, work hard, focus on school.

Question: What are things that you don’t need help with at UC?

Lawrence Sapp: I keep a schedule, running laps, lifting weights. I eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I skateboard. I study and do homework, keeping on top. I focus on high grades. I just watch out and repeat what works.

Question: Have you met a lot of people since you’ve been at UC?

Lawrence Sapp: Yes. It’s all good. I have met people from all over Ohio and the world [by] playing football and swimming.

Question: How’s the food on campus?

Lawrence Sapp: Really good so far. I am on a meal plan. Overall, there is a wide selection of food like kabobs and yogurt. I don’t want to lose weight.

Question: Why? Does this have to do with your training?

Lawrence Sapp: I need to eat so that I don’t cramp while I’m swimming. I don’t want to burn muscle.

Note

Thanks go to Victoria Churchill for conducting this interview.