Texas A&M Puts Stamp on Solid NCAAs With Four in Final

Photo Courtesy: Dan D'Addona

By Dan D’Addona.

It doesn’t happen very often, but it still wasn’t surprising for the Aggies.

In fact, it was the goal.

Texas A&M scored four swimmers in the finals of the 200 breaststroke — yes four — giving the Aggies half of the field.

Indiana champion Lilly King even remarked the night before — “They are coming” — referring to the Aggie quartet.

They certainly were as Bethany Galat (2:03.26) and Sydney Pickrem (2:05.79) went 2-3 and Anna Belousova was sixth (2:07.26) and Esther Gonzalez was eighth (2:08.20).

“Being a senior it brings in a new energy, and with four Aggies in that race, it represents A&M incredibly. It was very special swimming with my teammates,” Galat said. “It all game together really well.”

Then came the podium where all four Aggies stood, then huddled together for an instant for a photo — an instant that will last a lifetime.

“You couldn’t ask for more,” Galat said. “It was very special and it might be my favorite moment ever at A&M. It really represents how strong we are in breaststroke and how incredible Steve Bultman is. I am so proud to represent A&M and people may not remember all of our names later on, but I think they will remember four Aggies in the A final. That is very, very special.”

Photo Courtesy: Dan D’Addona

Pickrem mentioned earlier in the meet that when she and Galat were one spot away from each other getting awards, it was different.

“We weren’t next to each other on the podium and it hurt a little bit,” Pickrem said. “Everything between us is so genuine. We really just want the best for each other.”

They are used to being together — all the time. In the water and out, and definitely on the podium.

Pickrem (1:52.35) and Galat (1:53.17) finished 3-4 in the 200 IM and Lisa Bratton scored, finishing 15^th (1:56.09).

In the 400 IM, Pickrem was again third (3:59.05) and Galat was fifth (4:02.19).

But the final night was the thrilling conclusion as Bratton made the finals in the 200 back and the Aggies scored four in the 200 breast.

It was a fitting end for seniors Galat and Gonzalez in that event. They have done everything with their training group, becoming inseparable — and they finished their careers together in the same race.

There has been no jealousy or even rivalry among teammates, which is stunning in a loaded talent pool that the Aggies have.

“It is easy to get excited with this kind of team support we have,” Pickrem said. “It has always been a team goal of ours to get better and better each year. We always get better as the meet goes on. For our breaststroke, the way we train is such a good environment to be around. I think that is very rare in a team. There is always swimmers who are like, ‘I really want to beat her,’ (talking about a teammate) but we want to do better and each other to do better. It is just positive on positive. That is just the best thing in the world to train in. When we get to these meets and get to put the numbers on the board — that is the exciting part.”

And it was another exciting finish for the Aggies.

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

Name*

Email*

1 Comment

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Lois Galat

6 years ago

impressive athletes. So proud of them, they are very hard workers. A high caliber of our young people.