She may be an East Penn Conference champion in golf and a District 11 champion in swimming, but recent Freedom High School graduate, Helen Hsu, is all about relationships: building them, maintaining them, and cherishing them on the golf course, in the swimming pool, and throughout her day-to-day life.

Hsu, this year's Bethlehem Press Female Player of the Year from Freedom, is just one of the girls, yet gets respect from everyone because she is goal-oriented, focused, humble, and approachable.

"As a sophomore, she seemed like a senior, and everyone respected her immediately," said Freedom golf coach Mike Evans. "They learned a lot by being around her; getting it done."

Always meticulous with the notes she keeps about her game, Hsu set the bar high.

"She was fantastic. She doesn't hit many stray balls, but if she hit into a tree line, she wouldn't go for the hero shot. She'd punch back on the fairway," Evans said.

Hsu was also happy to help her teammates, one-on-one.

Evans said, "If someone had a hitch in their swing, Helen would step aside and help them. Even mentally, she would help them."

This past season, Hsu felt a lot more in control of her own swing.

"I had some good scores, and towards the end, I locked into the 70s. I had a rough start, but I finished okay. I don't have that much big tournament experience," she said.

After this past golf season, Hsu hadn't picked up a club until recently, and that's when something occurred to her.

"The most awesome thing about golf is the people you meet randomly because you spend time communicating with them," said Hsu. "It reminded me why golf is such a cool sport."

Hsu faced some strong competitors over the years; specifically, from Central Catholic, Emmaus, and Parkland, but as Evans sees it, it was a nice gauge to let her know where she stood.

"Getting back to states this year reaffirmed her. She really wanted to get back," he said.

Hsu also wanted to get back to states in swimming, and did so, coming home with two medals.

As with golf, Hsu kept meticulous notes and drawings regarding how she felt, how much sleep she got, how she did, and what she needed. Those notes included her goals, one year at a time.

"My goals in swimming really impacted my life. I learned that you have to dream high. Even if you don't reach your goal, you get somewhere close, and if you don't now, there's always another chance," said Hsu.

This season, Hsu was the district champ in the 200 IM and the 100 backstroke, but Freedom swimming coach Jon Larson and Hsu decided fairly late in the season which events she would compete in at the district meet.

Hsu was quicker in the IM at that point in the season, and although Larson knew she would make states based on time, winning districts was not a guarantee. Hsu herself was not so sure how fast she could go, so she did some calculations.

"On paper, it looked like I could do it. My teammates thought I could do it, but I didn't think I could," she said.

Hsu predicted a time of 2:04, and that is exactly what she swam at districts.

Larson said, "[Parkland's] Erika Freeman took second to Helen at districts. They pushed each other so hard that when they looked up at the scoreboard at their time, they were shocked by how fast they swam."

Hsu's other event at districts, the 100 backstroke, is all about the legs.

Larson said, "Helen's strong point is in her legs, but there were a few swims this season when she wasn't using them. I let her wear the tech suit, and she had a lot more confidence."

Hsu also competed in relays, and at the state meet this past year, the Patriots had two experienced and two inexperienced swimmers on the team.

"Helen treats everyone the same. She's not a prima donna, and she's not unapproachable," said Larson.

If given the choice, Hsu prefers the competitive spirit of districts to states.

"At districts, the room gets so loud, and all your teammates are there, and you know you have a shot. At districts, you're swimming against people you know, people you care about," she said.

Hsu will attend Cornell University this fall as an environmental science major and a member of the swim team, but she will continue to be appreciative of what both Evans and Larson brought to her golf game and to her swimming.

"[Coach Evans] allowed me to enjoy the game a lot. I like how personalized he is, and he holds everyone responsible. Jon brought stability. He doesn't hold personal pride against you and your swimming. He knows what's best [for each swimmer]," said Hsu.

What Larson will miss about Hsu the most is her ability to keep a coach honest.

"Easier workouts could be easier for a coach, for example, and if she doesn't understand where the workout is going, she will ask, and she does it respectfully," Larson said.

Hsu will also continue to be appreciative of Freedom High School.

"The Freedom family really exists because teachers and coaches support us on and off the field, and they help us be who we are. The whole Freedom atmosphere was cool this year. There was support between athletes and non-athletes. It was very special," said Hsu, "and my parents Rick Hsu and Peijung Lin have always supported me."