Why Swimming at an NCAA Division III School Is a Great Fit

kenyon-nationals cheer
Photo Courtesy: Kenyon College Athletics

By Grant Anger, Swimming World College Intern

Most swimmers don’t continue to compete in college after high school for a variety of reasons. Maybe they weren’t recruited or think they are too slow. The average high school swimmer believes that if they are not top five at a state meet, no college would want them.

This couldn’t be further from the truth! College teams simply want athletes who are great fits for their program. NCAA Division III schools offer a unique opportunity for future student-athletes. Here are a few reasons why you should swim at an NCAA Division III school.

You are More Than an Athlete

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Photo Courtesy: Josh Dobson

The biggest reason to swim Division III is that athletics do not become your whole life. Sure, you are part of the swim team, but you can be much more than that. Clubs, other sports and volunteering opportunities are available with a less demanding schedule.

You can pursue other passions that are completely different from swimming and even try out new ones. Division III programs allow students to discover new interests. It isn’t uncommon to have multi-sport athletes or swimmers who study abroad for a year. These experiences help educate and shape students into well-rounded people with a wide variety of interests and opportunities.

Prioritizing Academics

college-student-lecture-hall

Photo Courtesy: Baruch College

Going to a Division III institution means that you are a student first, athlete second. While a tiny percentage of Division III athletes turn pro, most move into the working professional world after graduation. While swimming is a large part of your life, your education takes first priority while you are at school. The less intensive schedule allows for more time to do research with professors or take internships in the professional world.

Swimming is Swimming, No Matter the Level

kt-kustritz-denison

Photo Courtesy: Linda Striggo

Swimming Division III is still the sport we all love, just less intense than Division I counterparts. Training for five months and getting to race to your goals still feels just as good at any level of competition. Even with fewer demands, most Division III programs have 6 a.m. lifting sessions and lactate sets that bring tears to the goggles.

Training trips, travel opportunities and sweet team gear still exists at the Division III level, and some rivalries carry the excitement and thrill of watching a Division I Championship.

Coaches Want You

Kenyon College competes during the 2017 NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships at the Conroe Natatorium on Saturday March 18, 2017 in Shenandoah, Texas. Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher

Photo Courtesy: Aaron M. Sprecher; Kenyon Athletics

If you want to swim in college, there is a spot for you somewhere. College teams want swimmers with potential and  love for the sport. Just because you have never made a state final doesn’t mean you can’t develop as an athlete and person in college. While Division III schools are typically considered the slowest, several powerhouse teams (such as Emory University, Kenyon College and Denison College) out-perform swimmers from higher divisions.

You Have Teammates for Life

Photo Courtesy: Lisa Minnis

Competing on a college swim team is an unforgettable experience. You are immediately welcomed into a group of people where you are accepted on your first day of college. Your teammates are there to push and support you just the way they did in high school. Having that group makes the transition into college so much more comfortable and worthwhile. At any division, you will find friends for life.

When looking at colleges and universities, don’t be afraid to go small – you just might find what you’re looking for! The Division III format allows for you to experience more than just swimming in college while maintaining a high level of competition.

All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.

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Agil Gud
5 years ago

Xoxoxo

Katherine Karaconstantis LaLime

Great piece and so true!

Debbie Vader
5 years ago

Good info!

Jody Willmott Feucht
5 years ago

Tara Feucht

Liz Brew
5 years ago

But do they give good scholarships ??

Fuss Saalfeld
5 years ago
Reply to  Liz Brew

No athletic scholarships. But many are well endowed with a variety of financial help available. 2 nieces competed Dlll— one in swimming and the other soccer. They both had very well rounded college experiences , including travel, choir , sorority etc. . I am a huge fan of Dlll

Liz Brew
5 years ago
Reply to  Liz Brew

Fuss Saalfeld Thankyou ?

Jonathan Powers
5 years ago
Reply to  Liz Brew

Some of us are VERY generous with our academic scholarships. Our websites (in the admission section) should have “net price calculators” where when you provide test scores and GPA information you’ll get an estimate of academic scholarships and potential financial aid awards.

Stephanie Davis
5 years ago
Reply to  Liz Brew

My son chose a D3 school for swimming and got a sizable academic scholarship.

Charlene Tallen
5 years ago
Reply to  Liz Brew

We got a very generous scholarship

Alex Blake
5 years ago
Reply to  Liz Brew

If you’re smart they do

Kaina Kauahi
5 years ago
Reply to  Liz Brew

As long as your child has good grades, they have the opportunity to get a decent academic scholarship. Some are financial need based aid so you have to run it thru the NPC. I found the NPC to be fairly accurate.

Kirsten Brammer Kærgaard

Allan Kærgaard
Amalie Kærgaard

Christy Maycock
5 years ago

Megan Maycock

Ken Minneman
5 years ago

If I had gone to the D3 school I was looking at, I certainly would’ve swam. Met with the coach and everything. Decided to go to a large school and not swim, though

Holly Heise Garriga
5 years ago

Sophie Garriga

Jonathan Powers
5 years ago

One of the reasons I coach is that swimming DIII was such an integral part of my college experience that I want to provide that opportunity to others. To me it is distressing to see what a small percentage of athletes who compete in high school continue in college – when the opportunities are certainly there at the DIII level… especially because for many students the small DIII school will provide the best educational experience for them (I’m only a little biased 🙂 ). Someone with AAA times will be competing for conference championships. Someone with B times will likely contribute in a variety of ways – including in some cases providing the needed inspiration for the AAA swimmer.

Rick Paine
5 years ago

Great article. Many D-III schools are very affordable and some of the best coaches in college swimming coach there

Shawn Cowper Daniels
5 years ago

Jack Beachboard

Angie Calvert
5 years ago

My son will be swimming for Birmingham Southern this fall..one of the first things that his coach told him was that he was there for an education first..swim 2nd & that everyone got to swim..no one sits on the bench!!

Victoria Hobrock
Victoria Hobrock
5 years ago

Victoria Hobrock

Katie Winters
5 years ago

I would have loved to go to a DIII school, but there were no swimming scholarships; I wouldn’t have been able to pay for college at all without my full D1 ride.

Kelly Purcell Fernandez

Kaina Kauahi Kelly Kauahi. ☺️??

Kaina Kauahi
5 years ago

I’m going to share this article. Awesome! Maddie is a perfect example.

Kelly Purcell Fernandez

Kaina Kauahi She really is and has excelled both with school and swimming.

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