Lauren Neidigh has a unique perspective on the grueling training regiment at the University of Florida: that’s because she’s a member of the varsity team there.
People often ask me why I chose to be where I am. Since I was just a freshman at The Bolles School, I heard rumors of the sets that were done at the University of Florida. I heard countless stories about swimmers getting yelled at or breaking down during practices. I wanted to know how strong of a person I would turn out to be if I could train with this program. I knew of course that not everything I heard growing up can be true, but the intensity of the Florida program is undeniable. Intensity is exactly what I wanted and what I needed to get the most out of my life.
Every day I have spent here in my first 2 years with the Gators has been a learning experience. I’ve learned that all the work we do is necessary to keep focus for a week-long event like SECs. Those sets at the end of a long practice are something that has taught me the most. I realized that these sets were teaching me to do more than just swim a 10,000 meter practice. They taught me to expect the unexpected and to embrace it. We don’t get to choose when to face some of the hardest moments in our lives or whether or not we will feel good on the 3rd day of our championships. At Florida we know how to finish something hard and pick up on another hard set just a few minutes later. Being a Gator has taught me that life doesn’t stop after you get through something hard or accomplish something great.
Even the smallest details of what we do have given my life more meaning than it has ever had before. Quite a few times Coach Troy has been stern with me about looking him in the eyes when he is talking to me. For the longest time it seemed like such a small detail that didn’t really matter. Then I thought about how much of a difference it would make if I one day achieved my dream job of being an FBI special agent. Nobody is going to feel protected by someone who stares at the ground and muttering. This one little has change affected the way people see me entirely.
Some people spend so much time criticizing Gregg Troy for being harsh that they don’t realize how much value he has as a teacher. No coach can be perfect, but the effort to teach us to be better people makes up for the things that go wrong. Our coaches share their own experiences with us. That’s a kind of education that you won’t find in many places. We are the only ones who get to experience the family atmosphere here. Some people may call it “over-training” but the reality is we’re just preparing ourselves for everything.
These past two years have been difficult mentally, physically, and emotionally at times. At the end of the day I don’t regret a second of it. I can see now who I have become and that gives me something to be proud of. I turned from an 18 year old girl who would cry every time she got yelled at into a 20 year old woman who can fight her way through just about anything. Someday that sense of pride will take me one step ahead of people I’m competing with for the job I want. I came to college a student with a 2.75 average. I ended the first semester of sophomore year with a 3.5 GPA and am well on my way to getting a 4.0 this semester.
When people ask me why I choose to swim for Coach Troy I tell them there are no words to answer that question. The answer is in the strength and maturity of the person that stands in front of them, looking them straight in the eye. I hope everyone in swimming is able to take as much out of their daily lives as I am, because it has been an experience like no other. I don’t know what the next two years will hold for me. All I know is that if something is uncomfortable, hard, or stressful I will be able to face it head on. That’s because I’m a Florida Gator and we are the toughest group of student athletes in the world.
Lauren – ignore comments from people like GA – as some others mentioned when you first posted your story, there are some who are confident in themselves who recognize the point of your story – the sense of accomplishment and the personal growth. Then there are the others who hide behind the anonymity of the internet.
“Haters gonna Hate” – there’s nothing you can do about them. But you are part of a super team and you know they have your back. So don’t take it personally – You’re better than that. Good luck this year – can’t wait to see you tear it up with the Wildcats!
Congrats Lauren on a great article and season!
For those of you who question why more California athletes stay instate you also have to consider that there 3 premier swimming schools instate opposed to Florida’s one. This means kids are 3 times more likely to stay in California, by having 3 different teams all with at least some what different training methods and team atmospheres.
coach troy is a tremendous coach who dynamically provides his swimmers with tremendous opportunities for dynamic self improvement every day. not only is he a great coach, but he is also an incredible ice cruncher and loves jimmy johns and the elliptical. GO GATORS ON 3
I think this is a wonderfully written article. As a swim parent, I don’t always know exactly what swimmers go through (I don’t even like to put my face in the water and I wasn’t an exceptional athlete) and I appreciate the bravery in Lauren’s opening herself up and writing about her experience.
I think its shameful that people will hide behind anonymous screen names and tear somebody down for being honest about THEIR experience.
I think that younger swimmers would like to read more of these kinds of stories but who would be willing when the mob is waiting?
Hey Exswimmer that is a 4000 fly set for you! Dont need the negative attacks. Remember the golden rule?
Finally someone who agrees with me! Why are we congratulating someone for making it through two years of a collegiate program. This article is exactly what is wrong with today’s kids. Let’s all say “Yeah” and “Good Job” and hand out a trophy to someone for nothing. You made it, you really made it!!
Can you say overreaction? I never heard her ask for anything! Wow! Don’t confuse your issues about “handing out something for nothing” with this swimmer or her article. By the way……it actually cost NOTHING to refrain from unnecessary negativity. And….perhaps she will or has MADE it….sounds like she’s not finished yet. Your scale or mine?
Guys, if we can’t turn this conversation away from a personal attack on Lauren, I’m going to go ahead and close the comments.
Please do…a well-intentioned season end reflection from an improving swimmer has digressed into a ridiculous diatribe…unreal…shut it down!
Motion seconded. A student athlete should not be subjected to this. It is embarrassing to the sport of swimming. These athletes are amazing, and I feel privileged that Lauren shared some personal reflections with the broader swimming community. What are the odds that other young women and men will make similar choices in the future if they are subjected to this kind of treatment.
Yeah, I really don’t understand this. She is obviously a great girl and swimmer. There’s seemingly nothing negative to be said, and people still find things.
I say, ban JUSTATHOUGHT
Right, because 2 years of grueling work under an intense coach, while studying vigorously is nothing. Oh and how much work did it take her to get there in the first place?
Thank you for pointing that out!
Nice comment/attack. It’s pretty obvious she went to school and has the ability to
generate
mostly interesting discussion. If you read above comments there were MANY who liked reading this well-written article (probably went to a good school to learn how to do that) AND benefitted from it.