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Name: Laura Blue
Birthday: March 23
Hometown: Cuyahoga Falls, OH
What is your favorite stroke? Corkscrew:-) J/K Freestyle
What do you love about the sport of swimming? I can eat whatever I want, only swimmers really understand what being a swimmer means, and swim suits.
What do you enjoy about swimming with DAMA? How friendly and welcoming everyone is and the team spirit.
How long have you been swimming with DAMA? 1 year
Swim Career Highlights/Experience or Swimming Background: I started swimming when I was 7…my dad threw me in the water and told me to swim. Since I didn’t drown they let me join the swim team. I swam all the way through college and then needed a break from the sport. It took me about 3 years to want to see water again and I have been back at it ever since.
How often do you swim? 4-5 days a week
Do you compete? If so, what are your favorite events to swim? I have mainly done open water swims since returning since I have been afraid to see my times on the board at a swim meet. My favorite race is the Pier-2-Pier. As for the pool, my favorite race is the 500 Free.
How does swimming affect your lifestyle? It keeps me healthy, sane, and upbeat. I love the way that swimming makes my worries wash away and how energized I feel when I finish. Growing up a swimmer it has made me very good at time management and my teams have always been like a second family.
Future swim goals? Lofty goal: to be at the same point I was at in college. Realistic goal: To always strive to be better and to continue to have fun and love the sport.
Have a great swimming story? Swimming tips? Always have fun. No matter how good you are, if you are not having fun it is not worth doing.
What do you in your life outside of the pool? I am an analytical chemistry graduate student at UNC. I love the beach and dancing. I am taking salsa dancing lessons and play water polo currently.
Advice for someone new to the sport? Set goals based on your skill level and not the person next to you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or for tips. Buy a fantastic swim suit so it makes you confident in the water:-)
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Fun Facts
High School: Cuyahoga Falls High School
College(s): Ohio Northern University (BS), University of North Carolina at Wilmington (MS), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (PhD)
Favorite sports (other than swimming): Water polo and sand volleyball
Nickname(s): Blue
Pet(s): None…I don’t like that kind of responsibility.
Ultimate Way to Relax: Sun tan at the beach or go dancing
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