Haley Scholer
Making Waves: Duquesne Student Sets Sights on Olympic Trials
While most college students strive for good grades and timely graduation, Haley Scholer, a business school student at Duquesne University, has set her sights on an even bigger goal: swimming in the Summer Olympics.
Scholer, a marketing major and public relations and advertising minor, aims to compete in this year’s U.S. Olympic trials for the 200-yard backstroke. Outside of the pool, Scholer is an active member on campus, serving as an admissions ambassador, Student Athlete Advisory Committee Member, member of Delta Sigma Pi professional business fraternity, and founding member of the campus Coffee Club.
A LOVE FOR SWIMMING
Scholer’s love for swimming came at a young age. She first started the sport as a child in mommy-and-me classes with her family.
“The women running the classes told my mom it seemed like my siblings and I really liked it and recommended she put us on the swim team,” Haley says. “It just took off from there.”
Fast forward to college and Scholer now holds Duquesne’s record for the 200-yard backstroke, which is her main event. On June 20, she’ll compete for a place on the U.S. Olympic team at Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of the Indianapolis Colts.
“After the collegiate season was over, I took a week off before jumping right back into it,” she says. “At first, I was training alone, and it was really hard. I kept reminding myself that I’m living out my dream and doing something that not everyone gets to do.”
Outside of swimming, Haley thrives academically and says she appreciates the unwavering support of Duquesne faculty and staff, who help her actively support her in achieving her ambitious goals.
“We do work on the buses and in the hotel room—I always have my laptop with me. It’s difficult, but I’ve been doing this my whole life,” she says. “What’s really great about swimming is you’re so busy that you have to be good at time management, and I am very lucky to have a lot of resources here at Duquesne.”
