Gold's Laurel Blase is Bama-bound

After nearly a dozen years competing for the Chattahoochee Gold swim team, Sequoyah High School junior Laurel Blase believes she's ready for the next big step. Laurel has verbally committed to the University of Alabama class of 2027. "I chose to study and swim at the University of Alabama because of how welcoming the atmosphere was both within the team and at the school itself! I felt so comfortable on campus and knew that I should spend my college career in Tuscaloosa."

The Alabama women's swim team finished 8th in the nation last season among Division I schools. "I believe that Alabama chose me because I can be a valuable asset to the improvement of the team in the future," Laurel says. "Swimming is an extremely demanding sport, both mentally and physically, and I believe that I have grown in all aspects of the sport throughout my time competing in it."

Laurel knows the opportunity to swim for Alabama wouldn't have happened without the support of her family & the Chattahoochee Gold community. "Because of how long I have been on the team, many of my closest and lifelong friends are my teammates on Chattahoochee Gold. I would not be anywhere close to where I am today without their endless support. In addition to my teammates, I've been fortunate to train under Gold coaches that have helped me improve everything from my stroke technique to my conditioning and mindset. I’d especially like to thank Coach Mark for all the growth he’s helped me achieve over the past few years, I would not be where I am without his constant pushing and support of me."

Laurel sights her biggest athletic & academic accomplishments as qualifying for USA Swimming's Summer & Winter Juniors and US Open, placing fourth in the 400 IM at the USA Swimming Futures meet, winning 500 Freestyle at the GHSA State Championships for Sequoyah High School and breaking the school & county record for 100 Backstroke. She's also proud of earning USA Swimming Scholastic All-American and NISCA Swimming & Diving All America honors.

Laurel has another year and a half with Chattahoochee Gold before setting off for Tuscaloosa but she's already looking back fondly on her time with the team. "My favorite memories have to be all the meets I have attended. The team seems to come together in a different way at meets and that feels electric and extremely motivating. My teammates are able to keep the atmosphere lighthearted throughout meets which I am extremely thankful for. My favorite meet memories have to include watching my teammates get team records. It’s so fun to watch someone perform amazingly in their race and get a team record, and everyone gets to celebrate them afterward. It’s the best!"

Laurel's goals for swimming for the University of Alabama include competing at SEC & NCAA Championships and the 2024 Olympic Trials and "leaving a lasting impact on the team." She plans to enroll in UA Honors College's Stem Path to MBA program.

Gold Coach Mark Schilling says “I am tremendously proud of Laurel making the decision to attend the University of Alabama. They are lucky to have someone with such a great mix of swimming tenacity and academic achievement. She has worked so hard in the pool for this moment and I know it will be a great next chapter to her swimming and academic career.”

Started in 1992, Chattahoochee Gold is one of the first teams in the nation to be awarded USA Swimming's distinguished Level 4 status.

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