Jaime Cheng Swanson’02
Inducted: 2014
Sport: Swimming
Events: Individual Medley, Long Distance andMiddle Distance Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly
Athletic Accomplishments:
Jaime is part of St. Mary’s swimming history as one of theschool’s best swimmers and one of only seven Seahawk women tohave qualified for the NCAA Championships. She was a multipleAll-Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) performer during herfour–year career and won the 1650 freestyle as a junior atthe 2001 CAC Championships. She also was named three times as theswim team’s Most Valuable Player.
Career Highlights:
During her career, Jaime held four school records, twoindividual in the 200 and 400 individual medleys and two relay inthe 400 medley and 800 freestyle.
Most memorable sports moment at St.Mary’s:
"My most memorable moment at St. Mary’s was qualifying forthe NCAA Championships. I came from a very intense training programbefore attending St. Mary’s and I did not believe that Icould accomplish the goals that I did with training less. It justproves that the quality of the coaching staff and practices is whatis essential to succeed."
Most missed about playing at St.Mary’s:
"I miss the team camaraderie at St. Mary’s. Swimming canoften be viewed as an individual sport, but the support andmotivation provided by my teammates showed that it is everythingbut that. I firmly believe that the support of my teammates islargely responsible for me to be in a position to accept thishonor."
Words of Advice for today’s SeahawkAthlete:
"Academics always come first. While at St. Mary’s, thecoaches were very understanding of the fact that the main reasonyou are in college is to earn an education, and they did notrequire the swimmers to attend practices 10 times a week as seenthroughout other programs. We had a rigorous training schedule, butit was never unmanageable or stressful. The coaching staff forswimming is also fully aware that if you don’t excelacademically then you will not be eligible to swim. Seahawkathletes should always keep this in mind when balancing academicsand athletics."
Involvement in your sport today:
"I still follow swimming through the swim teams my brother andsister coach, and attend their swim meets and my nephews’swim meets who also participate in the sport. I come from a strongswimming family and we have always supported one another.
Additionally, I still swim for exercise and have been trying toteach my son to swim as well."
Since St. Mary’s:
At the time of her induction, Jaime was married with one son andanother child on the way. She was working as a Management andProgram Analyst with the Department of Homeland Security.
Other thoughts and memories:
"Everything every swimmer past and present has done continues tomake SMCM swimming a success. I am very grateful for the support ofmy coach, Andre Barbins."
Current as of 10/2014
