By Rachel Ewart, Swimming World College Intern
After seeing an extraordinary season of success, sophomore Melanie Tombers heads to NCAAs next week for some intense competition.
Fatherly Wisdom
While growing up, Tombers always loved to swim and be in the water, but she didn’t truly begin to enjoy the sport until she found inspiration.
“My only challenge in swimming was being motivated to practice. When I was younger I never really wanted to practice and if I did, I never did it properly,” said Tombers. “When I was 12, my dad explained to me that I can either practice properly when I go swim and use my time wisely, or I could do something else.”
After hearing her dad’s advice, Tombers began to adopt new habits in her swimming technique and started seeing success in her meets which inspired her to work harder. Later on she became fast enough to swim at the collegiate level.
For the Team
Coming to Delta State University has not only transformed Tombers’ swimming but also her spirit towards the sport.
“Swimming at college is great because you swim for the team. I am fired up to practice harder because I know that I’m not only swimming for my benefit, but also for the success of the whole girl’s team,” states Tombers.
Practicing with the distance group has drastically improved Tomber’s endurance. Her times have dropped as her technique, turns and underwater have seen complete revision.
“Getting up at 4:30 a.m. to jump in the water can still be challenging at times, but the team is always there to encourage me, which makes practice that much better,” says Tombers.
Gaining Momentum
Photo Courtesy: Elisabetta Zengrano
During Tomber’s first swim season at Delta, she qualified for NCAAs in the 500 freestyle, 1000 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 400 IM and 200 breaststroke. At 2014 NCAAs she finished third in both the 400 IM and 500 freestyle, while also setting a few team and pool records in individual events and relays.
This year at the NSISC conference swim meet, Delta’s women’s team placed third overall. Tombers contributed to the team’s podium placing by winning the 1000 freestyle (10:06.09) and the 400 IM (4:19.49), and placing second in the 200 breaststroke (2:16.48). Due to her stellar performances, Tombers was named NSISC Swimmer of the Meet.
NCAAs
Photo Courtesy: Elisabetta Zengrano
This year for NCAAs, Delta state is taking a larger group than normal with nine women and eight men. The women’s team goal is to place within the top 10 teams at the meet.
“The team here at Delta is really close and we support each other in every situation. We will cheer one another on which encourages everybody to swim their best times and place well,” says Tombers.
Individually, Tombers qualified for NCAAs in the 500, 1000 and 1650 freestyle, the 400 IM and the 200 breaststroke. She will compete in the 800 freestyle relay, all three distance freestyle events and the 400 IM.
“I’m excited to get out there and race. I want to improve my places and times from last year’s nationals. My highest goal is to win one event,” says Tombers. “I’m also stoked to reunited with some old friends and teammates who attend different universities– it will be great seeing them again!”
Aside from the hype of NCAAs, Tombers reflects on how swimming has taught her to handle success and failure.
Swimming has not only been a major part of Tombers’ life, but it has also equipped her with a work ethic that can carry over into anything she does in life.
“I cannot imagine life without swimming,” she said. “It has taught me the power of endurance and teamwork. It has been a tremendous influence in my life.”