A member of Ripon women's swim and dive, Lauren Bahr is a senior from Wittenberg, Wisconsin. She is majoring in History and Secondary Education.
 
Q: Who on your team has been an impactful teammate to you, whether on or off the court and why?
A: All of the team has had an impact on me in some way, but especially my teammates who have been dealing with injuries over the seasons. They still show up, work hard each and every day, and keep a positive attitude through it all. They are amazing.
 
Q: Why did you choose to attend Ripon, and why have you stayed at Ripon for so long?
A: I chose to attend Ripon because of how at home I felt on my visits. I've stayed at Ripon because of the people closest to me and because of all of the opportunities to grow.
 
Q: What is one thing that you've learned at Ripon that you'll take with you into the professional world?
A: I've learned that just because you don't get along with someone that doesn't mean you can't still work with them.
 
Q: What are your plans once you graduate from Ripon?
A: I plan to work with children, either as a high school social studies teacher or through a youth organization.
 
Q: Where is your favorite spot on campus?
A: The Stacks -- they're a perfect place to study if you need to work somewhere quiet.
 
Q: What have you enjoyed most about playing for your head coach?
A: I love how hard Jon pushes us, both in practice and as athletes. He has high expectations for us, and I always want to be better to meet those expectations.
 
Q: Outside of athletics, have you been involved in anything else while being a student at Ripon?
A: I have been a member of Kappa Delta sorority for three years and have held officer positions within the chapter. I have also worked as an RA in the past and currently lifeguard at Willmore.
 
Q: What is a piece of advice you would tell younger athletes?
A: Practice each day like it's your last because time goes quick -- work hard, have fun, and enjoy it.
 
Q: What has been your favorite memory as a Red Hawk?
A: My favorite memories as a Red Hawk has been seeing everything that my teammates have accomplished, whether that's setting new personal best times, setting school records, placing at conference, or winning swim-offs. This team works hard, so it's so nice seeing their hard work pay off.
 
Q: What will you miss most about Ripon after you graduate?
A: I'm going to miss the people. I'm going to miss eating meals with the team and late-night fast food runs. I'm going to miss knowing that if I need them, they're only a short walk away.
 
Q: If you could visit one place throughout history, where would it be and why?
A: I would visit Rome during its Golden Age. America draws a lot of inspiration from the political structure of Rome, and the high level of technology in the country at that time would be amazing to see.
 
Lauren enjoys reading, listening to music, writing, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family. Lauren was on the 200 free relay team that came in fourth at the 2024 Midwest Conference Championships and competed in the 100 back "B" finals. She has received two Academic All-Midwest Conference awards and twice has been named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team.