Athlete Spotlight: Sam VonBokern

MINOT – The pool at the Magic City Campus contains several banners of past team champions and those individuals who have set a high bar of swimming excellence for future Minot High swimmers to pursue.

Sam VonBokern is on her way to adding her name to that elite company.  The sophomore has been in the Majette program since seventh grade and already has a state title in the 500 freestyle and a number of  WDA individual and relay titles to her name.

 “Sam has a drive like few athletes that I have worked with in the past,’’ said Minot coach Emily Jensen. “One thing that makes Sam unique to many high school athletes is her ability to be versatile. During the high school season and during her club season she has seen success in a variety of different events.”

VonBokern currently has the state’s best time in five events – 50 freestyle (:24.48); 100 freestyle (:53.14); 500 freestyle (5:20.00); 200 Individual Medley (2:14.72) and 100 butterfly (:59.30). And the second fastest time in the 200 freestyle (1:57.65); and 100 backstroke (1:00.76).

“I think it’s good to be a well-rounded swimmer,’’ she said. “I’m quite proud of being able to be successful in different events.”

Although she’s partial to the short distance freestyle events, she also enjoys competing in the 100 butterfly. 

The path to the pool started at a young age for Sam. Her mom put Sam and her siblings in swim lessons around the age of four. From there they joined the local swim club and have been swimming ever since. Sam’s older brother, Levi, participated in the high school for several years and has since graduated.  Her twin sister, Sophia, competes and will be alongside this weekend at the state championships.  

“I’m a competitive person in general so I like to push myself and see how high I can place and see my times improve,’’ she said. 

By sixth grade Sam’s times in the pool enabled her to jump up to better competition at the high school level. And through hard work her trajectory continues to rise.

Jensen said Sam will take on any challenge she is given during practice and her competitive nature keeps her on the winning path.

Success in the pool comes, in part, to good technique. And Sam has put in the time to hone her swim stroke skills. She’s also separated herself from others in her commitment to strength training. “Since fifth grade I’ve been lifting weights, she said. “And then when I joined up with the high school program, I’ve been doing weight training three days a week. It’s helped me some with endurance but just gave me more strength.”

That added strength has enabled her to pull harder through the water and led to faster times and a growing confidence that bigger things can be achieved.

 “Her positive mindset and work ethic fuel her ability to be confident in every situation, with every race and during every challenge, Jensen said.

The 2023 high school season will wrap up this week with the ND state championships. VonBokern has her sights set on strong individual performances as well as helping her team to a state title. The Majettes have not won one since 2014, but stand a good chance to take the top spot. “The state title is going to be a dogfight between us and Century and WF Sheyenne,’’ Sam adds. 

Beyond high school Sam’s goals include swimming at the Division I collegiate level and hopefully getting the opportunity to compete for spots in national swim trials. Her ability to excel in a number of events will position her well to do that. “I know I have a lot of work ahead to get there…a lot of time to cut,’’ she said.

And time is on the side of the standout sophomore right now.

“I’m proud to coach her, and so proud of her athletic talents but her growth as a teammate and competitor on the pool deck,’’ Jensen said. “She has a bright future ahead.”