Melissa Bara

Elms College sophomore women's swimmer Melissa Bara (Westfield, Mass.) was selected as this week's female student athlete spotlight.

Now in her second year as a member of the women's swim team, Bara is a nursing major at Elms.

In the first half of the 2010-11 swim season, Bara has provided tremendous depth to the Blazers' 6-1 women's swim team. Primarily a freestyle swimmer, Bara has recorded season-best best times of 30.72 in the 50-yard freestyle, finishing in sixth place at Bridgewater State University, 1:09.28 in the 100-yard freestyle and finishing third at Bridgewater State and 2:36.75 in the 200-yard freestyle en route to fourth place at Saint Joseph's College (Maine). Bara placed fourth in the 50-meter freestyle (33.68) and fifth in the 100-meter freestyle (1:15.68) against UMass-Dartmouth at Partyka Natatorium, and notched seventh place in the 200-meter freestyle with a time of 2:53.38 against Smith College at Partyka Natatorium.

Briefly describe your favorite sports moment (playing or as a fan):

My favorite sports moment was when I went to the Boston Celtics basketball game and had ninth row seats for a double-overtime game!

Who has been your biggest influence in sports and why:

My mom because she is always there for me and pushes me to do my best.

Why did you choose to attend Elms College:

I chose Elms College for the nursing program.

Where is your favorite place to travel and why:

My favorite place to travel to is the beach. It is nice and relaxing.

Where is the one place you would like to travel to in the future and why:

I would like to visit Italy because it looks so nice and it's where my great grandmother was born.

What is your favorite sports book or movie:

I don't have a favorite sports book or movie.