Texas A&M Women Rise As One

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Photo Courtesy: Texas A&M Athletics

By Tera Bradham, Swimming World Intern

Fly was her specialty. Swimmers lined the pool deck, watching as they anxiously awaited the take off. Then she dove, effortlessly gliding through the air as the momentum of gravity propelled her towards the water. She could hear the gasps from bystanders as her performance began. And then, as if defying the forces of nature, she turned mid-air, gracefully scooping water into her mouth, and flew effortlessly back to the ceiling of the natatorium.

The performer was not a swimmer, but a Mexican free-tailed bat. She was one of the many furry flyers that have made the Texas A&M Natatorium their home for the past few months. Popular to the College Station area, these bats have quietly resided within the comforts of Kyle Field, one of the largest football stadiums in the country, since its construction 87 years ago. After the demolition of the entire western half of the stadium in December, thousands of bats fled to other domains, and the swimming pool has been one of the lucky recipients of these uninvited mascots.

The Texas A&M women’s swimming team has taken the experience in stride, deeming their pool the “Bat Cave” and proposing to make tank tops with the new slogan. After the infestation shut down the pool, the team trained for a week outdoors in the neighboring town of Bryan. Captain of the team, Claire Brandt, portrayed the optimism of the team…

“It was the training trip we never had,” she laughs.

Although the closure of the pool helped some, the team returned to find their friends still happily flying around the pool. Since the bats are an endangered species, it is illegal to kill them, thus the pesky little bats refused to be subdued. No matter how hard pest control tried, the wee creatures seemed to have an irrevocable determination.

Kindred Spirits

But the unbroken resiliency of their little souls went further than their flights of rebellious freedom around the natatorium; it paralleled the resiliency of 29 hearts beating in the chests of the women swimming laps beneath them. In fact, there were many more similarities between the bats and the swimmers they dive-bombed than first met the eye.

Like the Mexican bats, which are known for nesting together, this year the Texas A&M women’s swim team refused to accept swimming as an individual sport, dubbing their motto for the year, “rise as one.”

And just as the bats have adapted to a new environment, the Aggies seemed well adept to handle any challenges that came their way. With a completely different roster including ten freshmen, the Aggies placed second at the SEC Championships and retained their third consecutive fourth place finish at the NCAA Championships.

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Photo Courtesy: Texas A&M Athletics

“After graduating three individual national champions and some other solid seniors, we had some people really step up this year,” said head coach and recent inductee of the American Swimming Coaches Hall of Fame, Steve Bultman. “Stepping up” would be an understatement.

Freshman Béryl Gastaldello split one of the fastest 50 fly splits (22.46) in the history of the sport while swimming untapered at SECs in February. A few weeks later, senior Sarah Henry won her first national title in the 400 IM with a 4:02.47 after coming back from two ACL surgeries.

The Aggies had a well-rounded performance at NCAAs, with National Junior Teamer Bethany Galat winning the B final of the 200 IM and nearly winning the B final of the 100 breast. Her fellow freshman and 2014 Pan-Pacific team member Lisa Bratton also stepped up at the meet, breaking her own school record in the 200 back for the third time this year. The returners held strong, as well, with junior Ashley McGregor posting her third top-eight NCAA finish in the 200 breaststroke, and the final relay outscoring Virginia to propel the team to an overall fourth place finish.

Looking Ahead

Today, the Texas A&M women’s team is moving into the summer season with their eyes already set towards next year. The bats appear to have left the natatorium, perhaps as part of their summer migration. Likewise, next season the Texas A&M women’s team will take a roster of stellar incoming freshmen to new stomping grounds. Included in this group is Sydney Pickrem, who just made her first World Championship in the 400-meter IM with a time of 4:39.26.

Despite losing some powerhouse seniors, this team is one to watch out for in the upcoming season. You can also expect to see many Texas Aggies swimming for the U.S.A. or their respective countries in the Olympics next year.

While they may not have use of echolocation like their flying counterparts, this team will definitely be ready for the hunt. They’re here to stay, and they are already preparing to “rise as one,” once again.

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