We caught up with one NE record holder, Amanda Hall, who holds eight Gator team records as well as the NE 13-14 Girls 200 IM record, set in 1991. This is a record that was set before today’s 13-14 swimmers were even born.

“You never know what you are capable of until Coach tells you what you are capable of”, she laughed. “I remember one of our Florida Christmas training camps. We would run 2 miles to the pool, swim 14,000 yards, run back, and then return for dry land training and another 10,000 yards in the afternoon. We’d then run back to the hotel, eat sleep and do it again the next day.”

After swimming in several Jr. and Sr. National Championships for the Gators, she went on to swim at UCLA, one of the premier women’s college programs in the country. She went on to be an NCAA finalist, NCAA All-American, and was eventually elected Captain her senior year.

Today Amanda, 30, is the Director of the UCLA Varsity Club which brings together over 11,000 UCLA athletes into an alumni organization. Amanda travels the country, often with a UCLA team, to host functions for Club members. “I meet some of the greatest athletes in the history of college sports. We just celebrated the 40th reunion of the 1967 National Championship basketball team.” That was just one of ninety-nine NCAA Championships UCLA has won over the years. “Without question I have a great job.”

“I didn’t realize my potential until I met Coach Bernal and swam for the Gators. He brought out the best in me. He always pushed us to the ultimate limit. Looking back at the things we used to do, it seems impossible. Even to this day I don’t think I’ve ever worked as hard as when I was a Gator. It has given me a lot of confidence.”

Looking back over her Gator years, Amanda remembers the fun she had with her teammates. “The thing I remember the most was the practices – I used to love to go to practice (even in the snow) – sometimes we would show up early just to socialize. Those were great times.”

You can reach Amanda at Ahall@athletics.ucla.edu.