Up and Comers: Ella Busquets Is Maintaining Family’s Legacy In the Pool
Ella Busquets has continued her family’s legacy of speed in the pool. When your parents are a four-time Olympian and a U.S. national champion, the genetics are there. For the up-and-coming Busquets, so is the work ethic.
Busquets, 14, swimming for Diablo Aquatics (Blackhawk, Calif.), qualified for the U.S. Junior National Championships at the TYR Pro Swim Series stop at Mission Viejo in May.
“Ella is a very well-rounded swimmer, although her backstroke has been the standout stroke for her up to this point, ranking her in the top-10 nationally for her age over the past year,” Diablo Aquatics coach, Chris Horner, said.
“What helps Ella be successful is her approach to both the preparation and performance side of the sport. She embraces challenges in practice, oftentimes trying to turn freestyle aerobic sets into backstroke sets. She also approaches competition with the right mindset, bringing her own intensity and excitement for the race while keeping it fun at the same time. That’s a tough balance to find at any age.”
It shows in the way she approaches the sport on a daily basis.
“She helps to keep practice fun in part by regularly reminding me that things are always a little better when I’m playing music for them,” Horner said. “What’s really great about Ella is that her teammates would speak just as highly of her as her coaches do.
“She’s played a big role over the past five years in shaping a hard-working and supportive training group that’s a pleasure to come in and work with every day.”
Questions With Ella Busquets
WHAT IS THE BEST THING YOU DO IN SWIMMING?
I train backstroke every practice aerobically and during sprint sets. I also work on my dolphin kicks the majority of practice every day and apply them in my races.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TOUGHEST WORKOUTS/SETS YOU’VE DONE?
Our team trains in a 25-meter pool. Some of the sprint and aerobic sets that I have found challenging include 28 x 100s on the fastest possible sendoff. Another hard set is 6 x 75s, 6 x 50s, 6 x 25s, all sprint.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT SWIMMING?
My favorite thing about swimming is the dedication and effort it requires. I enjoy setting new goals and working hard to achieve them. I strive to reach my goals by training with my dedicated teammates every day, and we push each other to our best ability.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THE UPCOMING YEAR?
I am looking forward to attending summer junior nationals in Irvine (Calif.) this year.
WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN SWIMMING…AND WHY?
I look up to my parents because they were both so accomplished in their swimming careers and are also very supportive of my swimming. My dad (Ricardo Busquets) was a four-time Olympian representing Puerto Rico (1992-1996-2000-2004). (Swimming for Tennessee), he was also an NCAA champion (and the meet’s high-point performer in 1996) and a two-time World Championships medalist (50 free).
My mom (Emily Plummer) was an Olympic Trials swimmer and a U.S. national champion in the 4 x 100 free relay. She also competed in the Pan American Games, representing Puerto Rico, and she was an all-American swimmer at the University of Tennessee.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES?
I used to play soccer, and I still play every now and then. I also enjoy playing cards with my teammates at swim meets before races.
Such a great family and so happy for all their girls! Go Ella! Layla! & Eva!