I always knew my mom expected me to follow in her footsteps.
She had been a collegiate swimmer, and from a young age, she made sure my sister and I were in the water. I don’t think either of us minded.
We admired her so much—her grace, her determination, her love for the sport.
And, to be honest, I was just following my sister.
She was a natural in the pool, and I wanted to be just like her.
That’s how swimming became my thing.
Over time, it became more than just a childhood pastime.
It shaped me, challenged me, and ultimately led me to where I am today—the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Here, I’ve found a home, a community, and a second family.
But most importantly, swimming has given me a way to honor my mom’s legacy after she passed away last season.
It’s been a journey—full of unexpected turns and painful losses—but I’m grateful for the chance to continue for one more season.
My fifth and final year.
One more opportunity to carry her legacy forward, to build on the momentum of last season, and to give everything I have in the pool, for my team and for her.
More Than Just Swimming
For me, swimming has never been just about the sport.
It’s about the people.
I love the water, the competition, the way every stroke feels like an extension of who I am.
But it’s the relationships that have kept me going all these years.
The friendships.
The shared struggles.
The unwavering support of a team that feels more like family.
I remember my first visit to UNO. I had toured a lot of schools, but something about this place felt different.
The team had a bond that was unlike anything I had seen elsewhere.
They were comfortable with each other, unafraid to be themselves, and genuinely supportive.
It wasn’t just about swimming fast—it was about growing together.
And the coaches?
I had my fair share of skepticism.
Other schools had made big promises, but they felt empty.
Here, though, the goals they set for me weren’t just realistic—they were things I truly wanted to achieve.
And once I got to campus, those promises turned into actions.
My coaches became mentors, guiding me not just in the pool but in life.
After years of bouncing between coaches in high school—four different head coaches in four years—I finally found the consistency I had been longing for.
UNO became my home.
My team became my family.
And for that, I couldn’t be more thankful.
The Hardest Year of My Life
I’m not sure I would’ve made it through last season without my teammates and coaches.
It was the hardest year of my life.
I started the season recovering from a stress fracture in my tibia, an injury I picked up while running over the summer.
Just as I was getting back on my feet, I developed an infection in my knee, which took me out of the water again.
Then, eight days later, I was rushed to the hospital with appendicitis.
At the time, it felt like a string of bad luck.
But in hindsight, I see it differently.
My appendicitis was a blessing in disguise.
After my surgery, I spent four days at home recovering.
Five days later, my world shattered.
My mom passed away suddenly from a disease called Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), which caused cysts in her lungs that spread to other organs.
She had a heart attack while working out, and just like that, she was gone.
I remember that night with painful clarity.
I came home and collapsed in front of my roommates, who were all on the team.
They didn’t hesitate—they packed my things and drove me home to be with my family.
I spent the next week surrounded by loved ones, trying to process the unimaginable.
Her funeral was on a Friday.
I don’t think I realized just how much support I had until that day.
My entire team showed up.
Every single one of them.
Seeing them there, feeling their presence, knowing they were there for me—it was overwhelming.
It was a turning point.
A moment that made me realize I wasn’t alone in my grief.
Two weeks later, I was back in the water.
My first meet back was our mid-season competition, and my coach, Jess, pulled me aside before I raced.
“This meet means nothing,” she told me. “Just swim. Have fun. Do your thing.”
So that’s what I did.
I told myself I was swimming for my mom. That was all that mattered.
And somehow, I swam better than I ever expected.
I was right on my best times—something no one, including me, had anticipated.
From that moment on, every stroke, every race, every practice was for her.
She had been my biggest supporter, and even though she wasn’t there physically, I could still feel her presence.
I knew she was watching.
And I carried that belief with me for the rest of the season.
It was the best season of my life, and I know I couldn’t have done it without my team, my coaches, and the constant reminder that my mom was still with me.
Swimming for My Mom
As I step into my final season, my mom remains the biggest influence in my life.
That’s never going to change.
There are moments—big meets, milestones, celebrations—where her absence feels especially heavy.
I find myself wishing she was there, in the stands, cheering me on like she always did.
It’s painful to know she won’t physically witness my biggest accomplishments.
But then, I remind myself that she is seeing them.
She’s still watching, still cheering, still proud of what I’m doing.
Just not in the way I had always imagined.
That thought gives me strength.
This season, I’m ready to give everything I have, to push myself beyond my limits, to leave it all in the pool—for my team, for myself, and most of all, for her.
I will continue to be grateful for the opportunity to compete, to grow, and to be surrounded by an incredible support system at UNO.
And I will continue to swim for my mom—knowing, without a doubt, that she is with me every step of the way.