Stanford Seniors Leave Spectacular Legacy With Title Trio (VIDEO)

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

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Three seniors, three titles, one unique legacy — Stanford’s seniors capped their careers in spectacular fashion on Saturday in Austin.

Ella Eastin, Leah Stevens and Kim Williams have been a part of some of the most historic races and team performances in NCAA swimming history.

On Saturday, they won their third team title in a row. But unlike the past two, which were in dominating fashion, this one was tougher — and more meaningful as seniors.

“It meant everything. We are such a small senior class and we have become really close. We have been through everything together. It was only fitting that we ended it in a meaningful way — together,” Stevens said. “In my opinion, this one is more meaningful because it was such a tight race. Every single swim mattered.”

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Stevens delivered with a career-best time in the mile, while Ella Eastin won the 400 IM for the fourth consecutive year — the only female in Division I to ever accomplish that feat.

They have come a long way since being wide-eyed freshmen thrown on to a team aiming for an NCAA title.

“I think at that point, we were just concerned with trying to find our place and improve ourselves. Big-picture-wise, I think we had big goals, and our team is never afraid to set big goals,” Eastin said. “We were brought into that culture really quickly — and the rest is history.”

That freshman year, Stanford became a national title contender for the first time in 20 years. The Cardinal looked like they were poised to win in 2016 but a relay disqualification proved costly and the win went to Georgia.

The current Stanford seniors didn’t lose an NCAA championship meet the rest of their careers. The trio did not lose a single dual meet in four years and won three Pac-12 Conference titles.

The freshman experience at the NCAA championships was huge in shaping their careers, especially now as seniors with a team that had seven freshmen make NCAAs.

“We had a unique perspective being at a really tight NCAA race our freshman year, which our other classes hadn’t experienced. We knew it was going to be a tough race, but we took the team and did our best,” Stevens said.

The freshmen produced, but the seniors played the pivotal roles.

“Each of us brings something really different in terms of leadership. I really hope that we did make the impact that we set out to,” Eastin said. “Our individual goals took a backseat, not in a sense that we didn’t care, but it was about moving forward for the group.”

For Williams, her role was even different this year, she didn’t qualify for the NCAA meet as an individual, so her role was more of a super leader.

“It was really different being an athlete on deck the past two years, instead of a coach wristband. I was fully invested in every swim, instead of preparing myself for my next race. I felt invested in each person’s race. It was awesome — and taxing. I am so glad I still got to have an impact. I contributed in every way I could. I felt like I was in every race,” Williams said.

“We had really great leadership the past three years — each and every senior class that was before them. Since we were freshmen, we were always paying attention to how we wanted to lead when we were senior captains. It means a lot. You get your fairy tale ending. Every team wants to go out with an NCAA Championship. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

The fairy tale ending was different for Stevens.

“The fairy tale ending was looking over and seeing my teammates cheering and their faces after I touched,” she said. “After the last relay, Kim and I went over and hugged Ella and shed a few tears. It became really surreal to me that this part of my life was coming to an end. But I wasn’t sad, I was so happy that I was able to do it with these two girls by my side all four years.”

Photo Courtesy: Dan D’Addona

Stanford coach Greg Meehan had a hard time putting the trio’s actual impact into words. With so many titles and accolades, there is plenty that adds up to dominant swimmers. But it was their leadership Meehan will remember in the closest title race of his career.

“It felt a lot different. It was a lot harder. We relied on those three quite a bit for guidance at times with our team,” Meehan said. “Kim is a huge part of our story and was instrumental helping us and our team continue to move forward. Watching Leah go a best time in the last swim of her career, and Ella, we have asked so much of her this year.”

How much?

“We relied on Ella so much through leadership and swimming. I probably didn’t get her rested enough to be her best self here, but coming out of the 200 IM and being disappointed, then coming back to win the 400 IM and be the first woman to every win that four years in a row is pretty awesome,” he said.

“It just says so much about her character. You knew she was disappointed but she refused to let that get the better of her. The most important role she had here was to help our team win the national championship, and I am just beyond proud.”

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Catherine Cat Clark

5 years ago

Patricia Britton do share with your boyfriend. These ladies deserve recognition

Patricia Britton

5 years ago

Reply to Catherine Cat Clark

Catherine Cat Clark well, I will now…