Living with student athletes has shown me how different of a lifestyle they live in comparison to most students. Leanne Sun (top) is a 3rd year Global Studies and Communications major. An Nguyen (bottom) is a 2nd year and is majoring in Art History & Architecture and Environmental Studies. These Lady Gauchos are members of UCSB’s very own Division 1 Swim Team. The two discuss their experience thus far as student athletes and share some of their favorite moments representing UCSB.
1. How long have you been swimming?
An: I’ve been swimming competitively since I was 10 years old, but I’ve always been in the water since I was really young.
Leanne: Since I was 8 years old, so for 12 years now.
2. What events do you typically swim?
An: I swim 100 breaststroke, 200 breaststroke, 200 Individual Medley.
Leanne: Usually sprint the 50, 100, and 200 freestyle.
3. What inspired you to start swimming competitively?
An: I think I was always natural in the water, but my age group coach was really inspiring. She made practices a lot of fun. We didn’t just swim in the pool, but we also swam in the ocean. She was a pivotal part of my swimming career. I probably wouldn’t be swimming this competitively if it weren’t for her.
Leanne: My mom forced me into doing swim, I really didn’t want to at first, and actually fought with her about it for a while. It was because my brother first started swimming, and then my mom wanted me to give it a try. I actually wanted to dance instead, but the studio near my house closed down, so I just started swimming instead.
4. How many hours a week do you spend practicing?
An & Leanne: About 20 hours a week
5. What is your favorite part about being a student athlete at UCSB?
An: My favorite part is being able to part of the school in a different way than other students would be. Its awesome to be part to represent UCSB, and I feel more connected to the school.
Leanne: Definitely feeling like you are a part of something and representing the school in some way.
6. What is the most difficult part about being a student athlete?
An: The time commitment to being on a student athlete can get really difficult because you’re trying to balance school, swim, and having a social life. Also, pushing your body at such a high level of intensity can get really difficult.
Leanne: The time commitment for sure because it’s pretty much like a full time job. It’s also difficult because you want to join so many other clubs and organizations, plus try to hangout with friends, but you can’t because there’s just so much time commitment with being on the team.
7. Aside from improving your skills as a collegiate swimmer, what have you learned or gotten out of from being on the team?
An: Being on the team has taught me a lot of time management and being able to connect with a lot of personalities.
Leanne: Definitely self discipline, time management, and also working with different types of people and getting to know different personalities. You are surrounded with so many different kinds of people that you normally wouldn’t surround yourself with, so it teaches you how to work with different people and personalities.
8. What is your fondest memory with the swim team?
An: There have been a lot of moments throughout the year that have become great memories for me, but one that comes to mind is the ocean swim. It’s basically a beach workout during our first week of training camp. We start in IV, then to campus point, and then to the pier. I enjoy it because we get to practice outside of the pool and swim in the ocean.
Leanne: There are so many, it’s really hard to choose. Honestly, I don’t know if this has to do with the swim team at all, but Greg (our retired coach) gave a speech at the end of our season last year. People went up and spoke about him and his contributions to the swim world, and at the end of it the entire audience gave him a standing ovation. That was such a positive moment for the team, and it was at the moment that I felt that I was a part of something. It was just so amazing because he is so legendary in the swim world… and to think that I wasn’t even going to swim here, but he gave me that opportunity to swim on a collegiate level. I was just so grateful to have had him swim for him for two years and be a part of his legacy.
9. If you could describe your team in 3 words, what would they be?
An: Family, resilient, and prideful (everyone is just so proud to be on the team proud to be representing Gauchos).
Leanne: Crazy, passionate, and supportive.