Starting this Wednesday, March 20th, the Fightin' Texas Aggie Women's Swimming and Diving team will be competing at their final meet of the season: the NCAA Championships. This year, the meet will be held at the home of their greatest rivals, the Texas Longhorns, in Austin.
The Aggies have proved their worth repeatedly over the past few years, and this year was no different. After placing fourth at NCAAs for four years in a row and then third for the last two years, the team knew they now had a reputation of success to uphold. Winning the SEC Championships for the fourth time this February, they have already started a strong championship season that will surely carry into the NCAA Championships.
Earlier this month, the women invited to the national level meet were announced, including 10 Aggie swimmers. Then, last week, we had two divers also qualify to compete in the championships. Including relay-only swimmers, that makes 17 Texas A&M athletes who are Austin-bound this week.
Every team member has pushed themselves to the limits this year for this moment. Here is a little information about each NCAA qualifier this year.
Amanda Armstrong
Class: Freshman
Home Town: Rockwall, Texas
Events: 200 medley relay
Favorite tradition on team: War hymn at the home pool
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: Our breaststroke and IM races
Improvements you've noticed this year: I've become more positive being in this team environment and I've seen the team grow more into a family for me.
Go-to pump up song: "7 Rings" – Ariana Grande
Anna Belousova
Class: Junior
Home Town: Yekaterinburg, Russia
Events: 200 IM, 100 br, 200 br, relay …
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: Depth of the team. Everyone has a chance to score a lot of points in individual events and relays.
Improvements you've noticed this year: People have learned how to communicate with each other in order to build trust on the team and confidence in themselves.
Favorite memory of Steve: When McKenna actually heard the set for the first time and Steve pretended to have a heart attack.
Go-to pump up song: The team atmosphere is what gets me pumped up.
Charlye Campbell
Class: Sophomore
Home Town: Midland, Texas
Events: 1-meter diving
Favorite team tradition: Signing the banners during big meets because it lets you see how big of a difference you can make on the team.
Most excited for at NCAAs: Because it's my first year to make NCAAs, I'm just excited to go and represent Texas A&M.
Improvements you've noticed this year: Personally, I've seen an improvement in my consistency when I compete.
Favorite Jay memory: Jay gives us nicknames that really make no sense, but they're unique and funny and they remind me at practice to have more fun. My nickname is Cheese.
Go-to pump up song: "So What" – Pink
Emma Carlton
Class: Freshman
Home Town: Mount Vernon, Washington
Events: 200 medley relay and 200 fr relay
Favorite team tradition: singing the War Hymn as we walk out at home dual meets
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: Our depth. We are one of the only teams in the nation that can score every single girl on their conference team, and I believe that everyone on our NCAA team has the potential to score.
Improvements you've noticed this year: Instead of swimming for myself I am swimming for my team. Every stroke and every goal is for my team, and I have never had that on club swimming before. It's an incredible feeling to be representing the best school in the nation.
Go-to pump up song: "Unstoppable" – Sia; "Girl on Fire" - Alicia Keys
McKenna DeBever
Class: Senior
Home town: Denver, Colorado
Events: 200 IM, 200 fr, 200 bk, relay …
Most excited for at NCAAs: It's going to be a challenge. We aren't favorites, but I love a challenge. I love to see the team step up and take over and prove people wrong.
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: We are the underdog. I think that is our biggest strength to be honest.
Improvements you've noticed this year: Our mentality. We started out rough with a new practice schedule, but I think we've adjusted really well and we're ready to take on this year's NCAAs.
Favorite memory of Steve: Pre-race jokes
Raena Eldridge
Class: Junior
Home town: Rockwall, Texas
Events: 200 medley relay, 200 fr relay, 400 fr relay
Favorite team tradition: Steve's joke before every session
Most excited for at NCAAs: I'm really excited to see how fast our girls go! Many didn't get a full taper for conference, so I'm excited for them to hopefully go some personal bests.
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: I think this team has incredible grit and determination that gives us the ability to do the impossible.
Improvements you've noticed this year: I think our team as a whole has gotten some killer underwaters that will serve us well.
Joy Field
Class: Sophomore
Home town: Magnolia, Texas
Events: 500 fr, 1650 fr
Favorite team tradition: When we sing the war hymn together on the bus at away meets
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: Our determination and our teamwork. We have been through some rough times. but this team sticks together. We can overcome anything.
Improvements you've noticed this year: Personally, I have been enjoying competing and training hard, which has made all the difference for me.
Favorite memory of Steve: When he dressed up like a monk for Halloween
Monika Gonzalez-Hermosillo
Class: Senior
Home town: Mexico City, Mexico
Events: 200 IM, 400 IM, 200 br
Favorite team tradition: Each year, going into championship season, we divide the team into subgroups of people who train together, and we write encouraging note cards for each other. It is super motivating to have your teammates acknowledge your hard work throughout the year.
Most excited for at NCAAs: This will be my last ever NCAAs, so I'm just excited to take it all in and enjoy the last opportunity I have to race along some of the most incredible teammates and represent Texas A&M.
Improvements you've noticed this year: This year, the team has faced many challenges, but we have come out on top and come back stronger from each of them.
Favorite memory of Steve: Steve's belly flop into the pool after we won SECs.
Go-to pump up song: "Moonlight" – Gaullin
Alaïs Kalonji
Class: Senior
Home town: Rennes, France
Events: 10-meter platform
Favorite team tradition: Giving gifts to my teammates as a "secret psycher" to encourage them for the championship meets
Most excited for at NCAAs: I am so excited to see Charlye compete on 1 meter.
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: For the divers, we know the pool at UT pretty well because we've competed there 3 times this season. That's good for spatial awareness (spotting), and feel for the water.
Improvements you've noticed this year: For me personally, I've improved the difficulty of my dives on 10 meter over the years. For the dive team, we've become closer and more supportive of each other.
Favorite Jay memory: This year at zones, Jay was trying to floss (a dance style) to get me to relax and de-stress before my dives.
Sydney Pickrem
Class: Senior
Home town: Dunedin, Florida
Events: 200 IM, 400 IM, 200 br, relay, 800 fr relay
Favorite team tradition: War Hymn before dual meets
Most excited for at NCAAs: One last time with me Team!
Improvements you've noticed this year: Becoming more invested in my teammates
Favorite Steve memory: All of Steve's jokes that are to inappropriate for T and her reaction
Go-to pump up song: "The rage" - Kid Cudi
Taylor Pike
Class: Sophomore
Home town: Bentonville, Arkansas
Events: 100 fly, 200 fly
Favorite team tradition: Swaying to the war hymn before a dual meet
Most excited for at NCAAs: I'm just really excited to compete at the national level again. I think a lot of us have really stepped it up this year, and I truly believe we will have many new All-Americans.
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: I think we have some really competitive girls who won't let anything stand in their way of success. We don't let any circumstances stop us from reaching our goals.
Favorite memory of Steve: When he picked up a fake gun from a boy in the Corps and pretended to shoot us with it if we didn't "pick it up".
Go-to pump up song: "Titanium" - David Guetta
Kylie Powers
Class: Freshman
Home town: Missouri City, Texas
Events: 100 br, 200 br
Favorite team tradition: Big B's
Most excited for at NCAAs: To be able to go to this meet and experience the energy there for the first time.
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: The passion and team spirit we have. We are always the loudest ones in the stands.
Improvements you've noticed this year: I think that the team was a lot more motivated this year because we wanted to prove to everyone that we could win SECs 4 times in a row. We have continued that hard work to prove ourselves again at NCAAs.
Jing Wen Quah
Class: Sophomore
Home town: Singapore
Events: 200 IM, 100 fly, 200 fly
Favorite team tradition: Slapping the make history sign before a dual meet
Most excited for at NCAAs: Racing fast with my family
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: Our team spirit and drive
Improvements you've noticed this year: I feel more confident in myself and my capabilities.
Go-to pump up song: "Whatever It Takes" – Imagine Dragons
Claire Rasmus
Class: Senior
Home town: New Orleans, Louisiana
Events: 100 fr, 200 fr, 500 fr, 800 fr relay, 400 fr relay, 400 medley relay
Favorite team tradition: Steve's pre-meet jokes
Most excited for at NCAAs: I'm excited to get behind the team and watch everyone swim fast. I want to step back and enjoy the meet since it's my last one.
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: We always know how to relax and have fun at big meets, so as long as we stay confident and goofy, we'll be successful.
Favorite Steve joke: "Go out there and eat their lunch on the last 50" -Steve
Go-to pump up song: "Body like a Back Road" – Sam Hunt
Golf Sapianchai
Class: Junior
Home town: Samut Prakan, Thailand
Events: 200 fr relay and 400 fr relay
Favorite team tradition: Watching senior skits after our last home dual meet
Most excited for at NCAAs: Being able to participate in my first NCAA and enjoying the atmosphere there.
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: Our team support for one another and how we always do better as the meet progresses.
Go-to pump up song: "Eastside" - Benny Blanco
Camryn Toney
Class: Sophomore
Home town: Frisco, Texas
Events: 200 IM, 400 IM, 200 fly
Most excited for at NCAAs: I'm most excited for cheering on my teammates and being in the team atmosphere. There is nothing better than seeing someone's face light up after their race. It gives me butterflies when I see my friends succeed and it inspires me. Cheering is definitely one of my favorite parts of swimming.
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: Definitely the team's determination. We are tough, strong, and ready to fight for A&M. The amount of work we have put in this season gives us the reassurance than we are more than ready to do amazing.
Improvements you've noticed this year: So many girls have stepped it up this year. We have always been a super hard-working team, but we have all taken it to the next level. All of us grind day after day, and the best part is that we do it together. We're always cheering, in practice and at meets. It's one of my favorite things about this team.
Go-to pump up song: "Spotlight" – Mutemath
Haley Yelle
Class: Sophomore
Home town: Mansfield, Texas
Events: 200 fr, 500 fr, 1650 fr, 800 fr relay
Favorite team tradition: The "Let's beat the ever living, whoop, ever loving, whoop, compound, whoop, complex, fighting Texas Aggie swim and dive, whoop, beat the hell outta NCAAs" yell before every meet (mainly because I get to Whoop)
Most excited for at NCAAs: This will be my first time representing A&M on a relay at SECs/NCAAs and to say the least, I want to make my team and school proud.
Improvements you've noticed this year: Especially over this year, our team has really learned to do everything for each other. We've developed this mindset that swimming for one another is much bigger than swimming for yourself. That's what helped us succeed at SECs and it's going to carry us through NCAAs.
Favorite memory of Steve: I always watch Tanica when Steve tells his jokes. More often than not, her reactions are better than the joke itself.
Go-to pump up song: "7 Rings" – Ariana Grande
With NCAAs just around the corner, the girls are getting fired up to do some serious damage this year. Come support your Texas A&M Women's Swimming and Diving team at their final meet of the season in Austin, Texas. You won't want to miss it!
The Aggies have proved their worth repeatedly over the past few years, and this year was no different. After placing fourth at NCAAs for four years in a row and then third for the last two years, the team knew they now had a reputation of success to uphold. Winning the SEC Championships for the fourth time this February, they have already started a strong championship season that will surely carry into the NCAA Championships.
Earlier this month, the women invited to the national level meet were announced, including 10 Aggie swimmers. Then, last week, we had two divers also qualify to compete in the championships. Including relay-only swimmers, that makes 17 Texas A&M athletes who are Austin-bound this week.
Every team member has pushed themselves to the limits this year for this moment. Here is a little information about each NCAA qualifier this year.
Amanda ArmstrongClass: Freshman
Home Town: Rockwall, Texas
Events: 200 medley relay
Favorite tradition on team: War hymn at the home pool
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: Our breaststroke and IM races
Improvements you've noticed this year: I've become more positive being in this team environment and I've seen the team grow more into a family for me.
Go-to pump up song: "7 Rings" – Ariana Grande
Anna BelousovaClass: Junior
Home Town: Yekaterinburg, Russia
Events: 200 IM, 100 br, 200 br, relay …
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: Depth of the team. Everyone has a chance to score a lot of points in individual events and relays.
Improvements you've noticed this year: People have learned how to communicate with each other in order to build trust on the team and confidence in themselves.
Favorite memory of Steve: When McKenna actually heard the set for the first time and Steve pretended to have a heart attack.
Go-to pump up song: The team atmosphere is what gets me pumped up.
Charlye CampbellClass: Sophomore
Home Town: Midland, Texas
Events: 1-meter diving
Favorite team tradition: Signing the banners during big meets because it lets you see how big of a difference you can make on the team.
Most excited for at NCAAs: Because it's my first year to make NCAAs, I'm just excited to go and represent Texas A&M.
Improvements you've noticed this year: Personally, I've seen an improvement in my consistency when I compete.
Favorite Jay memory: Jay gives us nicknames that really make no sense, but they're unique and funny and they remind me at practice to have more fun. My nickname is Cheese.
Go-to pump up song: "So What" – Pink
Emma CarltonClass: Freshman
Home Town: Mount Vernon, Washington
Events: 200 medley relay and 200 fr relay
Favorite team tradition: singing the War Hymn as we walk out at home dual meets
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: Our depth. We are one of the only teams in the nation that can score every single girl on their conference team, and I believe that everyone on our NCAA team has the potential to score.
Improvements you've noticed this year: Instead of swimming for myself I am swimming for my team. Every stroke and every goal is for my team, and I have never had that on club swimming before. It's an incredible feeling to be representing the best school in the nation.
Go-to pump up song: "Unstoppable" – Sia; "Girl on Fire" - Alicia Keys
McKenna DeBeverClass: Senior
Home town: Denver, Colorado
Events: 200 IM, 200 fr, 200 bk, relay …
Most excited for at NCAAs: It's going to be a challenge. We aren't favorites, but I love a challenge. I love to see the team step up and take over and prove people wrong.
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: We are the underdog. I think that is our biggest strength to be honest.
Improvements you've noticed this year: Our mentality. We started out rough with a new practice schedule, but I think we've adjusted really well and we're ready to take on this year's NCAAs.
Favorite memory of Steve: Pre-race jokes
Raena EldridgeClass: Junior
Home town: Rockwall, Texas
Events: 200 medley relay, 200 fr relay, 400 fr relay
Favorite team tradition: Steve's joke before every session
Most excited for at NCAAs: I'm really excited to see how fast our girls go! Many didn't get a full taper for conference, so I'm excited for them to hopefully go some personal bests.
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: I think this team has incredible grit and determination that gives us the ability to do the impossible.
Improvements you've noticed this year: I think our team as a whole has gotten some killer underwaters that will serve us well.
Joy FieldClass: Sophomore
Home town: Magnolia, Texas
Events: 500 fr, 1650 fr
Favorite team tradition: When we sing the war hymn together on the bus at away meets
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: Our determination and our teamwork. We have been through some rough times. but this team sticks together. We can overcome anything.
Improvements you've noticed this year: Personally, I have been enjoying competing and training hard, which has made all the difference for me.
Favorite memory of Steve: When he dressed up like a monk for Halloween
Monika Gonzalez-HermosilloClass: Senior
Home town: Mexico City, Mexico
Events: 200 IM, 400 IM, 200 br
Favorite team tradition: Each year, going into championship season, we divide the team into subgroups of people who train together, and we write encouraging note cards for each other. It is super motivating to have your teammates acknowledge your hard work throughout the year.
Most excited for at NCAAs: This will be my last ever NCAAs, so I'm just excited to take it all in and enjoy the last opportunity I have to race along some of the most incredible teammates and represent Texas A&M.
Improvements you've noticed this year: This year, the team has faced many challenges, but we have come out on top and come back stronger from each of them.
Favorite memory of Steve: Steve's belly flop into the pool after we won SECs.
Go-to pump up song: "Moonlight" – Gaullin
Alaïs KalonjiClass: Senior
Home town: Rennes, France
Events: 10-meter platform
Favorite team tradition: Giving gifts to my teammates as a "secret psycher" to encourage them for the championship meets
Most excited for at NCAAs: I am so excited to see Charlye compete on 1 meter.
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: For the divers, we know the pool at UT pretty well because we've competed there 3 times this season. That's good for spatial awareness (spotting), and feel for the water.
Improvements you've noticed this year: For me personally, I've improved the difficulty of my dives on 10 meter over the years. For the dive team, we've become closer and more supportive of each other.
Favorite Jay memory: This year at zones, Jay was trying to floss (a dance style) to get me to relax and de-stress before my dives.
Sydney PickremClass: Senior
Home town: Dunedin, Florida
Events: 200 IM, 400 IM, 200 br, relay, 800 fr relay
Favorite team tradition: War Hymn before dual meets
Most excited for at NCAAs: One last time with me Team!
Improvements you've noticed this year: Becoming more invested in my teammates
Favorite Steve memory: All of Steve's jokes that are to inappropriate for T and her reaction
Go-to pump up song: "The rage" - Kid Cudi
Taylor PikeClass: Sophomore
Home town: Bentonville, Arkansas
Events: 100 fly, 200 fly
Favorite team tradition: Swaying to the war hymn before a dual meet
Most excited for at NCAAs: I'm just really excited to compete at the national level again. I think a lot of us have really stepped it up this year, and I truly believe we will have many new All-Americans.
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: I think we have some really competitive girls who won't let anything stand in their way of success. We don't let any circumstances stop us from reaching our goals.
Favorite memory of Steve: When he picked up a fake gun from a boy in the Corps and pretended to shoot us with it if we didn't "pick it up".
Go-to pump up song: "Titanium" - David Guetta
Kylie PowersClass: Freshman
Home town: Missouri City, Texas
Events: 100 br, 200 br
Favorite team tradition: Big B's
Most excited for at NCAAs: To be able to go to this meet and experience the energy there for the first time.
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: The passion and team spirit we have. We are always the loudest ones in the stands.
Improvements you've noticed this year: I think that the team was a lot more motivated this year because we wanted to prove to everyone that we could win SECs 4 times in a row. We have continued that hard work to prove ourselves again at NCAAs.
Jing Wen QuahClass: Sophomore
Home town: Singapore
Events: 200 IM, 100 fly, 200 fly
Favorite team tradition: Slapping the make history sign before a dual meet
Most excited for at NCAAs: Racing fast with my family
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: Our team spirit and drive
Improvements you've noticed this year: I feel more confident in myself and my capabilities.
Go-to pump up song: "Whatever It Takes" – Imagine Dragons
Claire RasmusClass: Senior
Home town: New Orleans, Louisiana
Events: 100 fr, 200 fr, 500 fr, 800 fr relay, 400 fr relay, 400 medley relay
Favorite team tradition: Steve's pre-meet jokes
Most excited for at NCAAs: I'm excited to get behind the team and watch everyone swim fast. I want to step back and enjoy the meet since it's my last one.
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: We always know how to relax and have fun at big meets, so as long as we stay confident and goofy, we'll be successful.
Favorite Steve joke: "Go out there and eat their lunch on the last 50" -Steve
Go-to pump up song: "Body like a Back Road" – Sam Hunt
Golf SapianchaiClass: Junior
Home town: Samut Prakan, Thailand
Events: 200 fr relay and 400 fr relay
Favorite team tradition: Watching senior skits after our last home dual meet
Most excited for at NCAAs: Being able to participate in my first NCAA and enjoying the atmosphere there.
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: Our team support for one another and how we always do better as the meet progresses.
Go-to pump up song: "Eastside" - Benny Blanco
Camryn ToneyClass: Sophomore
Home town: Frisco, Texas
Events: 200 IM, 400 IM, 200 fly
Most excited for at NCAAs: I'm most excited for cheering on my teammates and being in the team atmosphere. There is nothing better than seeing someone's face light up after their race. It gives me butterflies when I see my friends succeed and it inspires me. Cheering is definitely one of my favorite parts of swimming.
Biggest strength going into NCAAs: Definitely the team's determination. We are tough, strong, and ready to fight for A&M. The amount of work we have put in this season gives us the reassurance than we are more than ready to do amazing.
Improvements you've noticed this year: So many girls have stepped it up this year. We have always been a super hard-working team, but we have all taken it to the next level. All of us grind day after day, and the best part is that we do it together. We're always cheering, in practice and at meets. It's one of my favorite things about this team.
Go-to pump up song: "Spotlight" – Mutemath
Haley YelleClass: Sophomore
Home town: Mansfield, Texas
Events: 200 fr, 500 fr, 1650 fr, 800 fr relay
Favorite team tradition: The "Let's beat the ever living, whoop, ever loving, whoop, compound, whoop, complex, fighting Texas Aggie swim and dive, whoop, beat the hell outta NCAAs" yell before every meet (mainly because I get to Whoop)
Most excited for at NCAAs: This will be my first time representing A&M on a relay at SECs/NCAAs and to say the least, I want to make my team and school proud.
Improvements you've noticed this year: Especially over this year, our team has really learned to do everything for each other. We've developed this mindset that swimming for one another is much bigger than swimming for yourself. That's what helped us succeed at SECs and it's going to carry us through NCAAs.
Favorite memory of Steve: I always watch Tanica when Steve tells his jokes. More often than not, her reactions are better than the joke itself.
Go-to pump up song: "7 Rings" – Ariana Grande
With NCAAs just around the corner, the girls are getting fired up to do some serious damage this year. Come support your Texas A&M Women's Swimming and Diving team at their final meet of the season in Austin, Texas. You won't want to miss it!