Women's Swimming | 1/16/2015 10:55:00 AM

Wingate, N.C.----The nationally-ranked Wingate University men's and women's swimming teams will celebrate Senior Day Saturday as the Bulldogs host NCAA Division I UNC Wilmington at the WU Natatorium (first event at 2 p.m.). The four Bulldog women's swimming seniors shared Senior Reflections with the Wingate Sports Information department. The transcript of their reflections follows…
 
Jasmine Arzadon
Senior, Lorton, Va.
 
My time at Wingate has certainly flown by. Looking back at all the memories and experiences shared here, I couldn't have made a better decision in choosing Wingate. This school has given me so many opportunities I couldn't have gotten anywhere else.
 
Wingate gave me the chance to be a college student-athlete. I always knew I wanted to swim in college, but I wanted to choose the right school, the right team. Right from my recruiting trip, I knew this was the school for me. I felt an instant connection with the team. Every year, the dynamics of the team changed and each season brought new challenges and obstacles. I looked to my team for stability and support. These teammates I met grew to be family. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought my closest friends would come from all over the world.
 
How crazy is it to think three years ago, these people were complete strangers to me. Now as I look at my fellow seniors, I couldn't imagine getting through the year without them. Coach Sanocki has taught me lessons applicable to not only the pool, but my life. He has taught me to be hungry for success and never be afraid of failure. He has pushed me to be my best, both in the pool and classroom. I thank him for that and showing me what it means to be "passionate," not angry.
 
I would love to thank my teammates and my coaches I've had over the past seasons for pushing me, inspiring me and allowing me to be better, faster and stronger than I ever imagined. I really believe that without their support I wouldn't be the swimmer I am today. 
 
As much as I love this family I call my team, none of this would have been possible without my parents and my two sisters. They have always given me the confidence I need to pursue my dreams. My two sisters especially have served as the greatest role models, as both also swam at the collegiate level. I would also like to thank my parents for driving me to every practice when I was younger and coming to almost every single swim meet. I can't thank them enough for their sacrifices and efforts to help me get to where I am today.
 
Kellie Gervas
Senior, Imperial, Pa.
 
The past three-and-a-half years at Wingate have been quite the journey. As my senior season quickly draws to a close, there are so many memories that begin to surface…it seems like only yesterday I was touring campus for the first time. My choice to be a colligate student-athlete and join the swim team at Wingate is one decision I have never regretted. Simply put, the team is my family.
 
Freshman year was a world of new experiences. I soon found out that the coaching and training was quite different from what I was used to. I wouldn't say I loved it right from the get-go…swimming can definitely be a love-hate relationship. Training in the distance group and swimming nearly 80,000 yards a week, with 'optional' Dry-Land workouts, was a wake-up call. I remember wishing for that first break (Thanksgiving) and counting the days until I could see my family again; however, after that first break, it seemed like the rest of my year flew by. My teammates, especially my fellow freshmen, were a great support system (Cook-Out milkshakes helped a lot, too).  By the time Bluegrass Mountain Conference rolled around, I found that even though the coaches were "passionate" all season, they really did care about us. That first season I learned so much about myself as a person…and I learned from my upperclassmen what kind of a person I wanted to become.
 
The next two years of school seemed to go by even quicker than the first. I started to really enjoy my classes and professors. I survived organic chemistry, biochemistry and even getting my first B in a class. I think the Wingate faculty does a great job. I've gained so much from my professors here…and learned that yes, even physics, can be fun.
 
In three years, I had three different assistant coaches. Each one of them brought something new to the table. I am grateful for the things I learned from each of them. I don't think I would be the swimmer or person I am today without each of them, even though I may have misinterpreted their guidance at the time. 
 
Junior year brought two great life experiences for me. I made my first-ever NCAA meet and I went on a W'International trip to Italy. Both I will never forget from my time at Wingate. I made the NCAA meet in the 800 Freestyle Relay. It was best feeling in the world, standing on the podium to receive my eighth-place trophy, knowing all my hard work had paid off.  In Italy, we traveled from Rome to Parma, Modena and Florence, eating several generous helpings of gelato along the way. The best part of the trip was traveling with two of my teammates and best friends.
 
The hardest part of every year was saying goodbye to the seniors on the team. Each year is harder than the last…this year will be no exception. The team here really is a family…and I dread saying goodbye. My senior year has been a blessing so far, and I am excited to fight for our third conference championship in February. I would really like to thank my family and friends for supporting me and Coach Sanocki for training me, but most of all I would like to thank my fellow senior swimmers. They have been there for me every step of the way and I wouldn't trade their friendships for the world.
 
Luisa Santiesteban
Senior, Chihuahua, Mexico
 
My time in Wingate definitely feels like it flew by. I cannot believe I am about to graduate and also be done with intercollegiate athletics. Swimming has been part of my life since I was four when I learned how to swim. Swimming has given me so many amazing things. I have been extremely fortunate to meet so many great people and have the opportunity to study at an American university. When I left Mexico almost four years ago, little did I know that I was making one of the best decisions of my life.
 
The years I have spent on this team are truly unforgettable. Thank you to all of my teammates for somehow managing to always have fun while working so hard. Thank you to the coaches for always pushing us to not only be better swimmers, but better people and teaching us discipline (and for all those post warm-up sets that for me look like they were already the main set).
 
Thanks Mami, Papi and Nallely for all your love and support. Thank you for always believing in me and pushing me to do my best. I couldn't have done all this without you. Gracias!!
 
Through the good and bad, my years on the WU swimming team have been filled with memories that I will always cherish. They have certainly prepared me for the new chapter in my life.
 
Victoria Tormenti
Senior, Willow Spring, N.C.
 
Where do I begin? I guess I can start with "man, the time flies." I remember my first day here at Wingate like it was yesterday. A small, unknowing freshman scared of the big world that is ahead of me. Was I scared? Of course I was! But somehow I was able to survive four years of college; and I believe, with no doubt in my soul, it was because I was a part of this crazy family I call my team.
 
Swimming at Wingate has taught me many things; things in which I know I will carry on into my future life. I learned to reach a goal, you have to look at different perspectives to reach it. What I mean is using the same tactics as the year before…will only get you the same results as the year before. Coach Sanocki has always preached this every year and I'm glad he did! His teachings clicked on me after my sophomore year…that is when I decided to take the sport more seriously; however, I believe I did not fully understand what he was saying until this year…my senior year.
 
To be the best you can be, you have to be willing to dive in head first without hesitation (excuse the pun, haha). The fear of failing is what keeps people from changing routines to better ourselves. We as humans do not like failure. We avoid it as much as possible, even in practice when we know it is okay and practice is where we are supposed to fail. But, because we fear the unknown, we stick to what we know and decide not to take the leap of faith. Until you learn there is a net to catch you after the jump…that is when you will see the improvement.
 
This theory applies to any activity, career option, project, etc. you do in life. If you do not challenge yourself, you will not improve. If you exceed your limits, you'll excel over them in time.
 
I hope my teammates will read this. I know there are a few that can use these words. The only advice I have left is do not wait too late to change what can be improved. The only regret I have is I wished I realized it sooner in my college career; however, in the end I am happy with the results I have received in the sport and the life teachings it has given me. This is a humbling experience I will carry on with me for the rest of my life.
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Wingate University, ranked as the 10th "best value" in the South by U.S. News & World Report, serves more than 3,000 students on three campuses in Wingate, Charlotte and Hendersonville, N.C. Founded in 1896, the University offers 35 undergraduate majors, 37 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, accounting, education, physician assistant studies and sport administration, and doctorates in pharmacy, physical therapy and education.
 
With a 14 to 1 student/teacher ratio, Wingate students gain the tools and support needed to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. To view current news, video and story ideas, visit www.youtube.com/wingateuniversity. 
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past eight years. For more information, go to www.wingate.edu.
 
Wingate is first among NCAA Division II Academic All-America®-producing colleges in the 2000's with 72 selections. Among North Carolina's colleges and universities, Wingate's 72 Academic All-America® honorees are number one during this millennium. Wingate's 81 lifetime Academic All-America® picks are tops among all SAC schools. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com.