Swimming World rounded out 2019 with the launch of the College Takeover Series on our Instagram page.
As of the end of January, 13 schools (Michigan, Georgia Tech, The University of Connecticut, Stanford, Bryant, Tennessee, Bloomsburg, LSU, Providence, Hawaii, Louisville, the University of Pennsylvania, and USC), eight conferences (Big 10, AAC, PAC-12, Northeast Conference, SEC, ACC, The Ivy League, and the PA State Athletic Conference), and two athletic divisions have been represented.
Senior Abby Miller from the University of Southern California was our first female swimmer to takeover the account while prepping for finals.
Tim Olyphant visits the USC Trojan swim team at practice during their College Takeover on Dec. 13, 2019 Photo Courtesy: Abby Miller
“I had so much fun doing the Swimming World takeover!” said Miller. “It was a great way to showoff how much I love being a college athlete at USC! I think it’s great for any college or even club program to do this, as it can show other people our experiences and why we love doing what we do. It also gives prospective student-athletes an inside look to what a program is like, which in my opinion, is extremely insightful.”
The Northeast Conference was represented before the end of 2019 by junior Matthew Mastroianni.
“It was such a great experience to get to show off what it means to be a Bryant Bulldog,” said Mastroianni. “I hope everyone enjoyed getting to see what a smaller D1 program has to offer. Thanks Swimming World Magazine!!”
Bryant University College Takeover on Dec. 20, 2019 Photo Courtesy: Matt Mastroianni
We also had our first diver takeover the account, Michaela Sliney, from Louisville this past month as well.
“I thought the experience overall was amazing!” said Sliney. “The fact that Swimming World Magazine was able to bring attention to a diver was really cool. I hoped that people enjoyed and understood what it’s like to train like a Louisville Cardinal.”
Louisville diver Logan Smith at practice during their College Takeover on Jan. 24, 2020 Photo Courtesy: Michaela Sliney
Coming up in 2020
February is a short month for takeovers with Utah (Feb. 7) and our first water polo player, Ava Perkins, representing the University of Hawaii (Feb. 14).
Toward the end of the month, college conference meets begin. During these weeks, as well as during Division Championships, we are pausing the takeovers so the athletes can focus on their individual meets.
The Takeover Series will resume between conference championships and nationals in addition to continuing in the post-season.
While collegiate competition wraps up at the end of March, Olympic trials are soon after. As for athletes training on campus or at their home clubs during the summer, we would love to have that experience be showcased heading into the fall.
For college athletes or coaches from aquatics teams interested in doing a takeover, please send an email to ashleighs@swimmingworld.com. Please include your school name, sport, and the names of athlete(s) who wish to participate. We welcome takeovers from any collegiate aquatics program.
I love these takeovers! As a parent, I don’t get to go with my daughter on her recruit trips for swimming, but one of the schools she is interested in did a takeover so I got to see a little bit of the program and the coaches!