Gardner-Webb Strikes Gold

Miranda Johns credits her Chattahoochee Gold coaches for achieving the scholarship of which she’s long dreamed. “The coaches at Chattahoochee Gold really care for each swimmer and have always encouraged me to greatness. Thirteen years of age in Coach Mark Schilling’s senior group, I remember writing down to hopefully, maybe, swim in college one day on a scholarship. Rather than laugh in the face of this shy little thirteen-year-old, he looked me straight in the eye and told me, ‘I believe you can do it’.”

Miranda has competed for the Chattahoochee Gold club team for eleven years. Her proudest accomplishments include making the National Club Swimming Association team, being a captain of the Gold team at the Cumming Aquatic Center for four years, earning the team’s highest honor, the “Gold Award,” twice and of course, the GWU scholarship. “When my junior year rolled around I began to be recruited to swim for multiple colleges all over the southeast for my distance freestyle events (500 and 1650) and the 400 Individual Medley. Of all the schools, one especially stood out to me the most, Gardner-Webb University. I fell in love with the swim team, coaches, faculty and overall small school feel.”

Gold coach Andy Eaton reflects on what Miranda brought to the Chattahoochee Gold team. “I couldn’t be more proud of Miranda. Her success, including her Gardner-Webb scholarship, comes directly from extraordinary dedication. Just the other night, another obligation forced Miranda to miss the dryland exercises before swim practice. As I was driving out of the parking lot after practice, I look over to see Miranda, all by herself, working hard to make up the entire dryland. We’ll miss her leadership and her example, but we can’t wait to see the great things ahead for her.”

Miranda plans to study communications and graphic design at Gardner-Webb.  “Chattahoochee Gold will always hold a special place in my heart. Although the thought of leaving my Gold family is next to unbearable, I am still extremely excited to begin this next phase of life with my new Gardner-Webb family. Go Runnin’ Bulldogs!”