Last weekend the women's swimming and diving team opened its season with a 191-104 victory over Cornell. Captain Ashley Wallace '07 led the Bears with three first-place finishes. She won both the 100- and 200-yard butterfly races and played a crucial role on the victorious 200-yard medley relay team. Last season Wallace earned a second team All-Ivy nod thanks to her performance in the 200-yard fly.
Herald: What was the Cornell meet like for the team?Wallace: It was a great moral victory for us because we crushed them.
How have you fared in Ivy League competition over your four years?I finished third in the 200-yard butterfly my first year. I lost to two seniors and thought it would be my race after they graduated, but my high school teammate Noelle Bassi transferred from (the University of) Tennessee to Harvard after my freshman year. (Bassi) finished sixth at Olympic Trials, and I've finished second to her the past two years.
Are you still friends with her?Yes, we're friends, but I try to forget that when we compete against each other.
Do you have your own Olympic aspirations?I did when I was 8, but I retired those dreams.
What is the ideal temperature for the pool?There is nothing worse than jumping into a freezing cold pool in the morning. But if the water is too hot, it can be a bit uncomfortable. When you start to work hard the pool seems much hotter. So somewhere in between those.
What is the longest you've swam without stopping?In high school, I swam 10,000 yards, which is 400 laps. It took me a little under two hours to finish.
What is the state of the swimming program?It's been rough. We had a lot of our funds cut this year and they were going to cut some athletes. Since they cut around $13,000 from the program, it was questionable about whether or not we would be able to go on a training trip, but, thankfully, we are.
How did you spend your summer?I stayed in Providence and trained. I had an internship with Tango Pix, a film and video production company. I was assisting with public relations and marketing. They do a lot of local documentaries and helped out with the Rhode Island International Film festival. They don't work on national projects yet since they are a brand new company, but they do run a weekly television show for children, called Action Blast.
Does the team practice over winter break?We get to go home on December 20 and then we go to Florida on January 3 for a training trip. We spend a week and a half there, and then we come back to Brown and swim here until everyone gets back.
What other sports do you follow?I grew up a Yankees fan. (My family has) season tickets and I went to a few games this summer, but I don't get to go too often.
How did you feel after they lost to the Detroit Tigers?I was distraught, but at least they made the playoffs unlike the Red Sox.
What do you think of Johnny Damon?As long as he's wearing our uniform I like him. He looks much better without the beard.
Being from Chatham, N.J., do your parents ever make the trip to Providence to see you swim?They try to come to most of my meets. Usually one parent has to stay home with my younger brother. But my dad went to Brown and he loves to come back to visit.
Did your father influence your decision to attend Brown?Definitely. I was torn between Brown and (the University of Pennsylvania), but I knew a lot more about Brown and my dad loved it here. He played football and wrestled and he is in the (Brown) Hall of Fame for both, which is a rare feat for athletes. My first visit to Brown was when I was very young, and he got into the hall of fame for the first time.
