2016-17 Women's Swimming and Diving Roster
Franko Jonker
- Position:
- Breast
- Class:
- Junior
- High School:
- St. Francis College
- Hometown:
- Pretoria, South Africa
2015-2016:
Redshirted ... represented South Africa in the 200 breast at the World University games in South Korea and swam the 100 and 200 breast at the Pan-Pacific Games for South Africa during the summer… swam the 100 and 200 breast and joined the sixth-place Aggie 400 medley relay (4:08.98) at the Phillips 66 US National.
2014-2015 (Sophomore)
Enjoyed much success in the breaststroke with eight top-three finishes … Made two NCAA ‘B’ cuts at the SEC Championships by posting a career best in the 100 breast (59.68) and a season high 2:11.00 in the 200 breast… finished second in the championship final of the 200 breast (2:31.69) behind teammate Ashley McGregor at the Speedo Championships Series... was on the fastest 400 medley relay team of the season that submitted a second-place 3:32.93 pace at the SEC Championships.
2013-2014 (Freshman)
Made an impact in her first year with two NCAA ‘B’ cuts in the 100 breast (1:00.16) and 200 breast (2:11.32) at the SEC Championships while placing 11th and 14th, respectively, and scoring a total of 29 individual points at her first conference championship. At the NCAA Championships, Jonker bested her personal best in the 200 breast, with a 28th place finish in 2:10.70. In the 100 breast, Jonker finished 25th in 1:00.33. After her first season, Jonker becomes the fifth fastest breaststroker in school history in both the 100 and 200 yard events (1:00.16 and 2:10.70 respectively).
High School/Club:
2010 graduate of St. Francis College in Sao Paulo, Brazil … received her IB diploma and Brazilian diploma … nominated as “Sportswoman of the Year” in 2006 …2008 Paulista champion (state champion in Brazil) in the 100m breast … Brazilian Junior National Champion in 100m and 200m breast in 2009 … South African Junior National Champion in the 100m and 200m breast in 2010 … in 2012 was an Olympic Trials finalist for South Africa in the 50m, 100m, and 200m breast … also competed in high school in track and field and was a member of the field hockey state team … Jonker competed for Canyons Aquatic Club under Coach Coley Stickels for one year where she set the 100m breast record.
Personal:
Franko Jonker is the daughter of Charles and Annelie Jonker … born on November 27, 1992 in Pretoria, South Africa … has one younger sibling, Chaanne … mother was an intercollegiate track and field competitor and father was an intercollegiate rugby competitor … intends to major in fashion design … began swimming at the age of 14 … says she chose A&M because “I loved the friendly people, Coach Bultman and Tanica made it a definite choice for me, as I wanted to swim under their guidance and experience. The amazing girls on this team are always pushing to break new barriers and striving towards being the very best individuals we can be.”
Best Times:
100 Breast: 59.68
200 Breast: 2:10.73
Close Up
Favorite TV show: Big Bang Theory, How I met your Mother, Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad etc...
Most played song in my iPod: Afrikaans/ African Music: Die Antwoord, Dans Dans Lisa, Die Hewels Fantasties etc...
What I drive: Audi
Favorite movie: The Butterfly Effect, Dear John
What I’m reading: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Worst habit: Picking out all the M&M’s in a trial mix pack and always stopping at Starbucks to get something even though I don’t need to.
Superstition: If a bee stings you, you will have good luck
Worst job: Handing out flyers
Favorite city to visit: Rio de Janeiro
Favorite athlete to watch in another sport: Shelly- Ann Fraser (Track & field-100m sprint)
Talent I’d most like to have: Play an instrument
Dream date: Having dinner on the beach just before sunset
Most competitive teammate: I really enjoy swimming with the breaststrokers on our team, we do many sets together and are all competitive but at the same time extremely encouraging and motivating through tough practices.
Which teammate could succeed at another sport and which sport: I think Breeja should have done some track and field event. She is always running from place to place.
Pre-competition music: Rap and R&B
Favorite quote: “You never really know how strong you are, until being strong is the only choice you have.” “You only live once but if you do it right, once is enough”
Something about me that most people don’t know: I speak 4 language, Lived in Multiple countries before and my worst fear is drowning.
Favorite swimming or diving set: 10x 50m Pace sets- descending time on a solid interval.
Favorite tradition at Texas A&M: I Love the Tradition of receiving an Aggie Ring once you graduate.
Women’s Swimming
Coach Bultman: devoted to his girls
Coach Jamison: passionate
