Written By: Victoria Williamson ~ Assistant Sports Editor
Swimmer Claire Galloway smiles after competing in a meet. Photographed by Caroline Gerke.
After competing in the ODAC championship this February, Lynchburg swim sent the first swimmer in the school’s history to compete in the breaststroke for the 2024 NCAA DIII Swimming and Diving Championships.
After placing 13th in the 100-yard breaststroke, and setting a new program record in the 200-yard breaststroke with a 2:21.53 according to LHSN, graduate student Claire Galloway recalls her trip to nationals as a joyful experience.
“The atmosphere was exciting the whole time, and the competition itself was intense like any other sports national championship, but swimming is a sport everyone is happy for everyone else’s success even outside of competition,” she said.
Not only did she leave an impact on the program, but Galloway will also be well remembered by her fellow teammates. For instance, senior backstroke/sprints swimmer Lindsey Hair has had fond experiences with Galloway.
“My favorite memory over the four years was definitely this past ODACs when we won the 200 medley relay for the first time ever. Claire and I have been on medley relays together since my freshman year and this moment was definitely one to remember,” said Hair.
Previous fellow teammate, and now graduate assistant coach Chris Jennings relates his time working with Galloway, saying “Going from training with Claire as an athlete to now being her coach it has been awesome seeing the competitive edge everyday that she brings to practice and each time she gets up on the block it is exciting to see her race.”
By concluding her time on the Lynchburg Swim Team by competing at the NCAA Championship, Galloway leads the legacy of greatness to come for the program in the future.
For more information and updates, visit: Lynchburg Swim.
