Gold's High-Flyin' Breaststroker Bound for Henderson State University

Chattahoochee Gold swimmer Bianca Santiago has her sights set on the pool...and the skies...as she starts her collegiate career at Arkansas's Henderson State University in the fall. Bianca will compete for the Reddies swim team while studying aviation.

As Bianca is ranked #4 in Georgia for 100 Meter Breaststroke, it's no surprise that HSU came calling. She says,"The head coach actually reached out to me first. He saw my breaststroke times and was very impressed. I asked him if I could major in aviation and swim at the same time. Much to my surprise he answered that he already had swimmers do this and it worked out well."

Bianca says her swimming accolades wouldn't have happened without the support & guidance of her Chattahoochee Gold coaches, "I would have to credit my success to three people: Coach Micah, Coach Mark, and myself. Micah and Coach Mark helped me with my stroke and made me fast, but in the end I had to make the decision to be good. I'm glad I did." Micah (Lawrence) Sumrall finished sixth in the 200-Meter Breaststroke at the 2012 Summer Olympics for Team USA. Mark Schilling has coached several swimmers to Olympic Trials and a National Finalist. He's also been recognized as Georgia Swimming's Senior Coach of the Year. Coach Mark says, "Bianca has been a huge part of Gold for many, many years. Her persistence in the pool has been a study in consistency which has paid off huge. I’m so proud of her!" Bianca reflects,"My favorite part of swimming for Gold would have to be at the meets when all the hard work that I put in at practice paid off."

Looking ahead to the scholastics, swim program and life at Henderson State, Bianca says, "I plan to study aviation and become a professional pilot for Delta. My dad is my inspiration as he is a pilot himself. I hope to make new friends and achieve my goals. I hope to grow as a swimmer and as a person."

"It wasn't until my junior year of high school that I realized I wanted to swim in college. I was hesitant at first until I realized I would regret the decision later, and I would wonder what could've been."

goldswim.com

Marking its 30th anniversary, Chattahoochee Gold trains swimmers at its HQ in Woodstock and at the Mountain View Aquatic Center in Marietta and Cumming Aquatic Center in Forsyth County.