For some athletes, their success at a sport just comes naturally. Such is the case for Alex Aguilar, a senior on the UNC Wilmington swim team. Not recruited heavily out of high school, Aguilar did not truly begin to swim year-round until he came to Wilmington. Now, as he concludes his collegiate career, he holds multiple records, including All-CAA honors.
The UNC Wilmington men's swimming team won its 11th consecutive CAA championship. Three championships in a row is a dynasty, but what is it called when you reach 11? How did the Seahawks celebrate? Also, find out what was going on in the world the last time the men's swimming team didn't win the CAA championship.
Since five years old, Alden Dyer has been a competitive swimmer. Until recently, she has been going to practice twice a day and has been a top swimmer for the UNC Wilmington women's swim team. Last year, she held a record for the backstroke and continued to perform well in the individual medley races.
Rachel Wilson, a long-distance swimmer on the UNC Wilmington women's swim team, spent five hours each day throughout the Seahawks' winter-break workouts swimming. A typical workout day involved waking up "super early," getting to the outdoor swimming pool while it was still "freezing cold" and then proceeding to swim 10,000 meters each morning.
Injuries happen. In every sport, athletes push their bodies to the limit, and because of that sometimes athletes get injured. Both the UNC Wilmington men's and women's swimming and diving teams have had to overcome some key injuries this season.
The energy was high and loud inside the Seahawk Natatorium, Saturday. The UNC Wilmington swimming and diving teams faced Wingate University in their final dual meet of the season. It was Senior Day for the Seahawks, as 12 senior swimmers and divers (nine women and three men) were honored for their careers at UNCW.
Change is an inevitable part of life. In UNC Wilmington assistant swimming and diving coach Marc Ellington's case, a more prosperous professional opportunity brought him from Massachusetts to Wilmington, a distance that requires a certain amount of risk-taking.
Many athletes dream of reaching an Olympic level of competition, and UNC Wilmington senior swimmer Anna Munger has achieved that goal—but don't think this success has gone to her head.
College is already tough enough, but can you imagine how difficult it would be to go through all of your classes in a second language?
It was coach Dave Allen's birthday, and what would be a better birthday gift than a win for his UNC Wilmington men's and women's swimming teams? The Seahawks were in the Seahawk Natatorium Saturday afternoon, going up against the Bulldogs from Gardner-Webb. They handled business easily, winning 25 of 28 events.
Editor's Note: This letter was written in response to "Is swimming & diving a priority at UNCW?" written by Sports Editor Tyler Heffernan and published Sept. 8, 2011.
UNC Wilmington swimming meets don't draw thousands of fans. Sammy C. Hawk doesn't step his oversized, fuzzy shoes into the Seahawk Natatorium. And there isn't a place where UNCW students can clamor over free T-shirts tossed by teasing faculty.
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