Getting to Know: Jessica Burkett

June 22, 2015 | Women's Swimming and Diving

Each weekday this summer a new cadet-athlete will be featured in Getting to Know, a Q&A series where Army West Point fans can read about their favorite players.

NAME: Jessica Burkett

HOMETOWN: Boiling Springs, Pa.

MAJOR: Kinesiology

DESCRIBE YOUR HEAD COACH: He's an inspirational leader and a great competitor. His determination is displayed on the pool deck each day at practice.

WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL AND WHY: My parents because they're both strong people and have taught me so many valuable lessons about life. I don't know what I'd do without them.

GREATEST ATHLETE ON EARTH TODAY IS: Lionel Messi

FAVORITE ARMY WEST POINT TEAM OTHER THAN YOUR OWN: Hockey

FAVORITE VENUE TO PLAY IN: Bucknell University

OPPONENT MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO PLAYING: Navy

WHAT TEAM NOT ON YOUR SCHEDULE WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY AND WHY: Seton Hall University because I have some friends on that team and I think they would be a good competitor for us.

HOW ARE YOU SPENDING YOUR SUMMER: I have a scuba PIAD in Key Largo, Fla., with another swimmer (Kelly Hamilton), a swimming PIAD at home with my club team, and I will also be a CBT2 PSG.

ON MY TEAM, I AM THE BEST… at making sarcastic comments

FAVORITE MEAL: Chicken parmesan

IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD YOU GO: Tahiti, because they have the little huts that you can live in on the water.

FAVORITE WARMUP SONG: "G.O.M.D." by J. Cole

BIGGEST NIGHTMARE: All of my teeth falling out.

FAVORITE PART OF WEST POINT: Hanging out and laughing with my teammates at practice.

DESCRIBE ARMY WEST POINT SWIMMING AND DIVING: Our team is like one big family because we all try to look out for one another.

FAVORITE TV SHOW GROWING UP: Spongebob

HOW ARE YOU IMPROVING YOUR GAME IN THE OFFSEASON: I make sure to go to the optional morning practices and lifts, in addition to the mandatory practices, so I can become stronger and more prepared for next season.

WHAT PLAYER WILL SURPRISE PEOPLE NEXT SEASON: Teresa Groton

WHO IS THE STRONGEST PLAYER ON YOUR TEAM: Danielle Nuszkowski

WHO IS THE MOST ENTERTAINING PLAYER ON YOUR TEAM: Kelly Hamilton

WHICH TEAMMATE IS MOST LIKELY TO BECOME A GENERAL: Kristen Barta

ADVICE FOR INCOMING PLEBE TEAMMATES: Get ready to have an experience like no other in your life, you'll learn a lot about yourself in the process of being a student-athlete here.

FAVORITE PERSON TO FOLLOW ON TWITTER: I don't have a Twitter anymore