Linn-Mar freshman Jennifer Jenks is this week's winner of the Metro Spotlight Award for high school girls, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday.

Jenks has burst onto the scene this year as one of the top swimmers in the state. She ranks No.1 in the 50-yard freestyle, No.1 in the 100-yard freestyle and No.2 in the 200-yard freestyle.

Jenks broke four records Tuesday during a Mississippi Valley Conference meet at Jefferson. She snapped pool records in the 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle that had stood for more than 20 years, and she broke the Linn-Mar school records in those events as well.

Jenks won the 200 freestyle at the Dowling Invitational on Saturday. She also competes in triathlons and runs track.

Here is our Question-&-Answer session with Jennifer Jenks:

MSR: What is your favorite individual highlight in sports?

JENNIFER: The best thing that has happened to me individually happened at the last swim meet against Jefferson. I broke two of Jefferson's pool records in the 100 and 200 free as well as the two Linn-Mar records in that event. After the meet, they brought a ladder out and made me climb up and remove the old records. That was so cool. It definitely has been the best moment so far because I got to share it with the team and coaches, too.

MSR: What is your favorite team highlight in sports?

JENNIFER: My whole year in high school swimming has been a huge highlight. In club swimming, it is mainly parents in the crowd that cheer. In high school swimming, it's so great because everyone - parents and athletes - are cheering and they are so supportive. The team is like one big family and I love that. You're not swimming for you, you are swimming for the team and everyone on it. It is such a great experience that I am very lucky to have!

MSR: Who has had the biggest influence on your sports career?

JENNIFER: My sister (Stephanie) has definitely been a huge influence in my sports career. She is older so she always started sports and activities before me, and doing so kind of paved the way for me. She definitely is hard-working and a go-getter and it's very motivational for me.

Truthfully, she has pushed me to be as good as I am today. Of course we have a little rivalry (we're sisters after all) and it is really great to share this experience with her.

MSR:  What are your future goals in sports?

JENNIFER: I'd like to take sports as far as I can, whatever that may be. If I can participate in sports throughout college or maybe even professionally, that's what I would like to do.

MSR: What are your favorite classes in school?

JENNIFER: In school, my favorite classes right now are chemistry, advanced algebra and introduction to engineering design. They are pretty challenging classes and I guess that's why I like them!

MSR: What has been your favorite community project?

JENNIFER: A couple weekends after school started I volunteered at the K9 Splash at Bever Park. It was so much fun to help the dogs out of the pool!