There’s a U.S. national champion and member of the U.S. national team in the pool for the UCLA swim team.
Over two months ago, junior Katy Campbell surprised at the meet by scratching into the finals – finishing just outside the final eight, but a swimmer scratched out – and winning the 1500 meter freestyle championships at the Phillips 66 National Championship from lane eight, the worst possible lane.
Soon after, she was named to the U.S. national team for the 800 meter freestyle, since 1500 meter freestyle isn’t an Olympic event.
The other swimmers started off fast, but Campbell began at her own pace, falling behind. Then lap by lap, Campbell swam faster and faster.
“Every 50 (meters), she was getting a little bit further to the front, nudging her way up,” said senior Ally Loper. “She was slowly catching (the leading swimmer), so that was very exciting. It was inch-by-inch every 50, and by the last 100 we were jumping up and down screaming.”
Campbell’s teammates, including Loper, had come out for the finals even though they had all finished their races. They made posters for Campbell to keep track of the 1500 meters.
She won the finals with a career-best time of 16:17.59 and was crowned the national champion.
“It was something I wanted to do since I was really young,” Campbell said. “This summer, me, (coach Cyndi Gallagher) and (assistant coach Naya Higashijima) decided that we were going to mix it up a bit. I started doing different things like yoga and just kind of stepped everything up in order to prepare for nationals.”
Now that the collegiate season has started again, Campbell has shifted her focus back to swimming for UCLA, despite having competitions with the national team looming ahead.
“I think I changed a bit, but I think the intensity I had this summer is still there,” Campbell said. “Winning nationals was really a driving force to do well in the college season and perform my best for the Bruins.”
While Campbell thinks she’s only changed a little from her summer experiences, both Gallagher and Loper noticed a change in her confidence level.
“You never know you can win nationals until you win nationals, so her perspective has definitely changed,” Gallagher said. “She’s always been a hard worker, but she’s never worked this much with such purpose, but that’s part maturity, part understanding the program.”
Gallagher said then-senior Lauren Baker – who holds the school record for the 1650 meter freestyle – was a fitting example for Campbell last season, showing her the way.
“Hard work, trust the coaches and you’ll be successful; that was Lauren’s mantra,” Gallagher said. “I think (Campbell’s) trying now to fill those shoes. Work hard, come in practice prepared, give 100 percent, focus on what you’re doing and try to get better every day.”