Freshman Liza Engstrom made a splash early in her college career, taking third in the 100 backstroke in her first collegiate meet in October.

She’s kept up the pace since then and opened the regular season finale against Ohio State with a win in the 400 medley relay.

As Engstrom and the Wildcats take some time off before the Big Ten Championships at the end of the month, The Daily’s Bette Marston caught up with Engstrom to talk about swimming, pancakes and Dwight Schrute.

Daily Sports: So, you’re from Nevada. What made you choose Northwestern here in the Midwest?

Liza Engstrom: Basically, when I came here on my recruiting trip, I had a lot of fun, and I really liked all the girls on the team. It just seemed like the right balawwnce between academics and swimming because they’re both really strong programs.

Daily: What are the biggest differences between living in the West and living in the Midwest?

Engstrom: Well, it’s a lot greener here and more humid. … I don’t know; there’s not that much of a

difference.

Daily: Do you have any pre-meet rituals?

Engstrom: Not really. I am one of the lesser ritualistic people.

Daily: What is your favorite type of breakfast food?

Engstrom: Oh, chocolate chip pancakes, hands down.

Daily: Is there a certain place where you get them, or someone who makes them in a particular way?

Engstrom: I definitely make the best chocolate chip pancakes, but I have limited resources here in the dorms, so just whatever is around.

Daily: So who on the team has the messiest locker?

Engstrom: Messiest locker? I don’t even know. Probably Katie Eschenburg, I would say. I just assume that because her room is messy, her locker is messy, too.

Daily: Does the women’s team get along well with the men’s team?

Engstrom: Yeah, definitely. We hang out outside of the pool all the time.

Daily: Do you watch any TV shows regularly?

Engstrom: Well, we did watch “The Office,” but now that’s gone. A lot of the freshmen girls watch “Gossip Girls.”

Daily: Who is your favorite character from “The Office”?

Engstrom: The one who’s really cool, Dwight.

Daily: What is your favorite application on Facebook?

Engstrom: Bumper stickers.

Daily: Did you go to any NU football games this year?

Engstrom: Yeah, they were fun. The only thing I would say about those is that I don’t like standing up the whole time.

Daily: If you could be any fruit, what would you be?

Engstrom: I don’t know – a pear. For no reason.

Reach Bette Marston at [email protected]