Marian Catholic senior Katie Moore's academic success might be traced back to the civilization she is studying.

In addition to being a member of the National Honor Society, Moore also is part of the National Junior Classical League, the Latin version of the NHS. The state-qualifying swimmer is a fourth-year student in Latin. She might study pharmacy, and knowing Latin terms are helpful in the medical field.

Quite simply, Moore is enthralled with ancient Roman society.

"It's an amazing culture," Moore said. "They are the pioneers of everything we have."

Moore, who qualified for this weekend's IHSA state championships, is a Speedo All-American, an honor awarded to a varsity athlete who maintains at least a 3.78 GPA for two years.

The championships start Friday at Evanston and continue Saturday.

She qualified by winning the 100 butterfly in 1:00.95 Saturday at the Lincoln-Way East Sectional.

"It was the best feeling in the world to get first because this was my last chance," Moore said.

She also was part of the 400 freestyle relay team that finished third (3:41.94) and qualified. Other team members are Beth Nagel, Anna Moorman and Meghan VonSchaumburg. Nagel also qualified in the 100 freestyle (:54.02).

Moore and her classmates are translating Virgil's Aeneid, which is about the adventures of Aeneas, the legendary Trojan hero who survived the fall of Troy. The first six books of the work were modeled after Homer's Odyssey and the last six on the Iliad.

"Their ability, Virgil and Cicero, to narrate story with such great detail, is just something," Moore said. "Aeneid is the Roman version of the Iliad and that is also what we're doing is comparing the works."

Moore got her start swimming in Ridge Park on the Chicago's Southwest Side. She learned through lessons from the Chicago Park District.

"I really had a chance to work on the fundamentals and that's what I'll never forget," Moore said. "Without that experience, I wouldn't be where I am now."