Junior Elementary Education major Robyn Naze broke her team’s record for the mile in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) tournament for swimming.
Naze’s goal during the race was to just have fun. She broke the record for the mile with a time of 17:29.99. She placed second in both the mile and the 1,000-yard freestyle.
“Right before I just told my coach I’m going to have fun, which I tried to have the most fun I could during a mile. So, I think that really helped me,” Naze said.
As a junior on the team, Naze has seen her team win RMACs three times. She and her teammates cheered over their three-peat victory.
“Third time’s the charm. I think my favorite year was obviously my first year because I didn’t know if I was even going to swim in college,” Naze said.
Due to challenges created by COVID-19, there were no spectators for the competition. However, Naze was still excited that they were allowed to compete.
“I was just so thankful that it happened. It was really hard because this year we couldn’t have any spectators. And so […] the men and women were separated but I think it was great because we both supported each other a lot. So, we would go to their session […]and vice versa. And it was over a four day meet, which is exhausting but I felt like our energy was great the whole time. So, it was exhausting but fun,” Naze said.
According to her teammates sophomore Emily Moreland and senior Kennedy Bright, Naze is a great person to have on the team.
“Robyn is an amazing teammate. She has a great work ethic, but also knows how to have fun and make swimming fun! She’s the most supportive teammate I’ve ever had, she cheers for everyone and is always one of the loudest on deck,” Moreland said. “She kicked some major butt at RMAC and went a few personal times, including making nationals in the mile. She’s a great example and leader on our team and anyone would be lucky to have her as a teammate.”
Naze tries to be a supportive dedicated teammate and lift the spirits of her fellow swimmers whenever possible. She brings that attitude into many aspects of her life.
According to Naze, her motto is “practice with a purpose.” Naze puts that motto to use in and out of the pool.
“I think this year has been the hardest just because I’m in and out of the classroom a little bit, but I’m really thankful to have coaches that work with me. With all of that. And I think swimming, honestly helps with my time management to get things done,” Naze said.
Naze will head to Birmingham, AL to compete in the mile, 1,000-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle races during the NCAA Championships. The meet begins on March 16.
