NCAA Women’s Division III Championship Blog, Day 1: Emory’s Katie Mroz

OXFORD, Ohio, March 12. IN addition to Shane Pelton's athlete blog on the Division II Championships, another swimmer will be keeping tabs on the Women's Division III Championships through an athlete blog for Swimming World. Katie Mroz from Emory University will be checking in with regular content from the meet

Mroz is a freshman swimmer at Emory University. Mroz, who hails from Libertyville, Ill., enters her first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Championship meet after placing first as a member of the Emory 800 freestyle relay at the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championships. In addition, Mroz will compete in the 500 freestyle, the 200 freestyle and the 200 breaststroke at this year's NCAA Championships.

Whoo-hoo! We are finally here! NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships. My name is Katie Mroz and I am a freshman at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. Sitting in the hotel, I can hardly sit still because of how stoked I am for a week of AMAZING swimming from everyone.

Many teams were testing the water this morning at Miami University's Corwin M. Nixon Aquatic Center in Oxford, Ohio. There is a frigid 50-meter pool and a separate warm diving well. The pool is beautiful with deep enough gutters to house a few alligators. Coaches and swimmers are filled with excited and nervous energy as they pose on the podium for a team picture. Each competitor left today with a backpack and a sweet camping chair with embroidery on them.

This week is all about swimming fast and showing pride in yourself and school. Everyone has worked hard this season and has proved herself for the opportunity to swim at this meet. I cannot wait to experience the craziness and excitement. Team cheers, insane clothes and lots of spirit.

Tonight is the athlete banquet where the girls get to show off their freshly shaved legs and feminine side before we turn into fierce competitors in the pool. Tomorrow is all about the 200 free relay, 500 free, 200 IM, 50 free, 400 medley relay, and 1-Meter diving. Good luck, girls!

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use