Q&A With Swimming's Amanda Williams
Jan 13, 2004 | Women's Swimming and Diving
Jan. 3, 2004
NEW ORLEANS, La. - A native of Vestavia Hills, Ala., Amanda Williams is one of 14 freshmen on the reborn Tulane swim team. She has been a vital cog in the Green Wave's success so far, competing in the individual medley and backstroke. Competed in all three dual meets during the fall, Williams won the 200 individual medley at Florida A&M and the 400 individual medley at North Texas, and helped the 400-yeard medley relay squad win at UNT as well.
Below, Williams shares her thoughts on the team's chemistry, the biggest difference between swimming in high school and at college, and a host of other topics.
Major: Business with a minor in English. I want to travel and this seems to fit what I want to do.
I Chose Tulane Because: It's a great school in a great city, and it was an opportunity to start something new with the swimming program. I actually wanted to come here before I found out they were restarting the program, but once I heard that, that was even better.
Being A Student-Athlete Has Helped/Changed Me By: It's definitely made me more disciplined in everything. You really don't have time to dilly dally around and you've really got to manage your time. I was shocked by how much we practice and that's an adjustment we've all had to make.
Most Memorable Experience As A Tulane Student-Athlete: Winning our first dual meet. We went 3-0 in our first weekend. We had been working so hard and it was an affirmation. We realized that everything Coach Irle told us was true and we really bought into it. We found out after the meet that the other teams did not realize that we were all freshmen.
Biggest Surprise About the Season: I almost hate to say it, but it's been our success, but in a good way. I'm really surprised how well each girl on the team is performing personally and how well I'm swimming as well. I'm swimming better now than I ever have all throughout high school.
The Chemistry On This Team Is: It is insane how many different personalities we have on this team. I never would have picked them, but I think Coach Irle has done a great job of putting this team together. We describe ourselves as "a little spicy" because we entertain ourselves to no end. We crack each other up all the time and there's a great sense of humor to this team. It's not like we're all best friends, but we all have a mutual respect for each other.
The Biggest Difference Between Swimming At Tulane And Competing In High School Is: There's so much more a sense of team here. In high school, it was much more of an individual sport and you would try and get a personal best. Now, it's about racing your best to get points for the team.
Favorite On-Campus Activity: Fellowship of Christian Athletes
If I Could Play Another Sport At Tulane, It Would Be: I think football would be fun, but since I'm a girl, I'd have to say soccer.
Personal Philosophy: It's not what you do in life, but it's how you do it and who you do it with. For example, swimming isn't always fun, but I love the people I do it with and if you go about it with a good attitude, it can be fun.
People Who Influenced My Athletic Career: My sister, Katie. She's the reason I'm swimming today.
Best Advice I Ever Received: Have a positive attitude. My mom always said that, and it used to get so annoying in high school, but I really see what she meant now.
Favorite Book: Pride and Prejudice
Favorite Actor: Sandra Bullock and Russell Crowe.
Favorite Movie: Gladiator or Shakespeare In Love
Favorite Food: Homemade macaroni and cheese. And none of that powdered cheese or low-fat stuff. You've got to have the real cheese going here.
Dream Vacation Destination: Fiji.
If I Could Have Dinner With Any Three People In History, It Would Be: Jesus Christ, Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. I think each of them is a very spiritual person and it would be very enlightening conversation.
Favorite Teacher: Dale Quinn. She taught AP English when I was in high school. She challenged you, she was tough, but she really made you learn a lot.
Best And Worst Part About Living In The Dorms: The best thing is that your friends are always around. The worst part is public bathrooms.
Favorite TV Show: Friends.
Favorite Sports Movie: The Sandlot.
If I Could Attend Any Concert In History, I Would See: Ben Harper and Jack Johnson.
Something I Do Before A Meet To Get Focused: I visualize my swims. I actually see myself during the race and that really helps me get focused for my swims.
If Tulane Could Beat One Team Head-To-Head, It Would Be: Auburn. They're really good, they've had Olympians, and that would really put us on the map. That, and the school is about two hours away from where I grew up (Vestavia Hills, Ala.) so that would mean a lot personally.
People I Would Like To Thank: My family. They are the most supportive people in the world They're the insane parents who travel across the county just to watch us swim. Also, I'd like to thank Coach Irle and Coach DeBord for giving us all the opportunity to be here.
Players Mentioned
