Illinois Wesleyan senior Lisa Cheng (Vernon Hills, Ill., Vernon Hills HS) was an honorable mention All-American in the 2018 NCAA meet with her 13th place finish in 50 freestyle. She also tied for 23rd in 100 freestyle and placed 32nd in the 200 freestyle.
As a junior she was chosen as the team's "Most Valuable Performer" and named to the CSCAA Scholar All-America team. She holds the school record in the 100 breaststroke at 1:07.14.
As a sophomore she was a national qualifier in the 50 free, 100 free and 800 free relay and, as a freshman, she was a two-time honorable mention All-American at the NCAA meet, placing 14th on the 800 free relay team and 12th on the 200 free relay team.
Double-majoring in psychology and sociology at Illinois Wesleyan, she is the daughter of Qixiu Cheng and Lauren Ning.
Lisa Cheng shares her IWU Study Abroad experiences as a psychology and sociology double major.
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Why you chose to attend Illinois Wesleyan: I chose Illinois Wesleyan for its dedication for academics and incredible athletic programs. What I loved the most about IWU when I was visiting was getting to know psychology professors personally. I really felt like IWU was the place I would grow the most and prepare me for my future!
IWU class you’re most qualified to teach: Action Research Seminar
The hardest challenge about being a Division III student-athlete is: Balancing all of your academics with a rigorous practice schedule, clubs, and work schedule! IWU expects you to excel in every aspect of your life, not just sports.
Worst grade in a class you ever got – what and when? Anatomy and Physiology….freshman year was spooky.
I’m deathly afraid of ... Heights and drowning.
Worst habit: Overbooking myself and thinking I’ll be fine.
Most expensive traffic ticket: $120 for speeding!
Language I’d like to learn: Arabic
The longest I could survive without my cell phone: About a week, hope I don't have to find out anytime soon
One word your mother or father would use to describe you: Tired or hungry
Favorite sports figures: Simone Biles, Serena Williams, Katie Ledecky, Colin Kaepernick, Derrick Rose
My greatest moment in sports was: Jason Lezak 2008 Olympics in the 400 Freestyle relay!!
The best player I ever faced was: Daria Pyshnenko. She was a teammate at my club swim team and swims for the University of Michigan now and has also swum at the Olympic Trials.
Worst dresser on my team: I have to say the "best" dressed goes to Kyle Fox for his chick magnet deck shoes that he wears to every meet
Thing that’s been in my fridge the longest: Garlic
Person I’m dying to have dinner with: My parents!
Favorite food: Sushi or anything that my dad makes
Vegetable I won’t eat: Can't really think of a vegetable that I don't eat, I'm not particularly picky.
Pepsi or Coke? Coke 100%
Favorite TV show: "That 70s Show"
Favorite music artist: Currently in love with Ella Mai
Favorite movie: "The Lion King"
If a movie were made of my life, I would like the following person to play me: Constance Wu
If my life were on TV as a reality show, I’d call it: "Running Out of Time"
The person in history I would most like to meet is: My grandparents :)
My dream job would be: World Traveler and food critic
Place I’d most like to live: Somewhere where I can surf and hike a lot!
If you come back in another life, what would you like to return as: a Corgi
Two things that are tops on my “bucket list”: Live in each country of the world at least once. Live somewhere on the coast to practice surfing.
My possession that would fetch the most on eBay: My vintage purple tracksuit I used to wear as a kid.
Who is the luckiest person in the world? Anyone who gets to make their living off of eating or traveling!
What I miss most about being in the third grade: Having a desk that opens up and holds all of your school supplies!!
