Through all the success that senior swimmer Megan Ciampa has accomplished at Youngstown State University, it almost never happened.
Ciampa said she had some adversity in her household growing up because her dad never wanted her to swim, even though her mother was a colligate swimmer. She said her father felt her grades were more important than her desire for swimming.
On the other hand, she said that her mother felt like she should follow her passion and continue her
swimming career.
“My father thought that I should go to school for an education and focus on my studies more,” she said. “My mom pushed me to get into this sport, and she thought is was important for me.”
In her four years at YSU, Ciampa ranks in the top 10 in school history in the 200-yard freestyle, 500-yard freestyle, 1,000-yard freestyle, 1,650-yard freestyle and 200-yard backstroke.
She said that one of the most memorable moments in her career was in her freshman year when the relay team broke the school record in the 800-yard-freestyle at the Horizon League Championship. Ciampa finished eighth in the mile at conference, earned a plaque and got to stand up on the podium.
Ciampa also ranks in the top 10 for the 400 IM, an event where swimmers must use all of the strokes — butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle.
Ciampa said that her favorite event is the 400 IM and that some people might think she is crazy for her it. She said she would love to achieve the 400 IM record since she was only one second off of doing so last season.
Along with wanting to break records and enjoy her final season, Ciampa must also be a leader.
“It feels really good to be looked up to as a leader, but I look up to them just as they look up to me,” she said. “This is a family, and we all can really lean on each other.”
When talking about Ciampa, work is the one word head coach Matt Anderson said to describe her four-year career.
“She is one of the hardest workers that we have in the pool, and she loves to push the other girls,” he said.
Anderson also said that his team will have a good season and he is looking forward to Friday’s meet against Cleveland State University to set the tone for the season. The meet begins at 5 p.m. at Beeghly Center.
“The girls are ready to swim fast, compete well together and have a strong bond,” Anderson said.
She said her goals for the season are to win half of the team’s 10 meets, to go their best time at the conference, and to break the school relay record.
“I want to be remembered for everything I did,” Ciampa said. “I want people to look up to me and be able to count on me.”