University of Vermont’s women’s swimming and diving team has been competing at a high level all season, boosting themselves to an 8-3-1 record and a top 20 ranking, according to www.collegeswimmers.com.Some of their success can be attributed to sophomore Kate Weaver, who earned America East Swimming Performer of the Week honors two weeks ago, making it her third this year and fifth of her career.For the past two years, Weaver has been excelling as a Catamount. As a freshman, she made the America East All-Conference Team, while also becoming the America East Champion in the 200-meter backstroke.At the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships (ECAC) last season, Weaver was part of three relay teams that were able to take home first place.While excelling in her races this year, Weaver has been a part of some record-breaking performances.On Jan. 11 at Holy Cross, Weaver set four pool records, leading the way for the Catamounts as they routed Holy Cross, 229 to 68.”Holy Cross actually dropped us from their schedule for next year, we weren’t invited back,” Weaver said. “I guess we were too much for them.””It definitely feels better to break someone else’s record than your own,” Weaver said. “It’s a great sense of accomplishment, getting your name up on the board so everyone else can see it.”But for Weaver and the rest of the team, winning comes from the incredible amount of time and effort they have spent training and working hard.During winter break, the team went down to the Florida Keys for two weeks of intense doubles.”It was a great time for team bonding, but we did work really hard,” Weaver said. “We pretty much ate, slept and swam.”The team is keeping up with their doubles since returning from winter break, working out or swimming in the morning and then swimming again in the afternoon.Weaver is choosing to continue with her excruciating doubles schedule for the next two weeks, pushing herself to swim her best with the America East Championships just a month away.”By nature I’m very competitive. I love racing, but I think in order to get to the point where you are the best, you have to be confident in yourself,” Weaver said.Coach Gerry Cournoyer reiterated Weaver’s attitude. “Kate is a very competitive athlete that hates to lose,” Cournoyer said. “Her work ethic and desire to get better has helped her continue to improve this season.””The way I do that is by working hard and putting my all into what I do,” Weaver said. “The girl I’m swimming against may be taller than me or stronger than me, but because I’m confident in how I have been training, I know I can win. I know I’m better.”