WASHINGTON (May 16, 2023) – Howard University rising junior Media, Journalism, and Film major, Spanish minor Sareyah Rudd caught up with recent graduate Tiffanee Moore (Tallahassee, FL) for a quick Q and A session.
 
Q: What is your favorite part about swimming?
A: My favorite part about swimming is the awareness because it is very good for centering myself, both spiritually and physically. I really enjoy competitive swimming, but for me, swimming just offers time to just focus on my body and the movements it makes in the water. It also offers me a lot of time to think, so it is a very reflective activity for me.
 
Q: Can you touch on the improvement you saw from freshman to senior year?
A: My improvement would be my confidence because I just boxed myself into a couple of events. I really needed to expand, trust myself and trust the process of what the coaches were outlining for me. I was comfortable with accepting change and possibilities.
 
Q: How did you get started in swimming?
A: I grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, and my dad swam during his grade school years. I have other family members that also swim competitively or certificated lifeguards, so those were just activities that we did.
 
Growing up in Florida as a black child, it was really imperative that we knew how to swim because it is a public health crisis that so many black and brown children do not know how to swim in areas like Florida. So, after I took swim lessons at five years old, my parents started looking into competitive swimming. Then, I started competitive swimming at the end of my middle school years.
 
Q: How do you spend your free time?
A: During my free time, I really enjoy reading. I am a really big fan of science fiction and horror novels. Other than that, I really like putting together miniatures like crafts and different things like that. Just really letting myself explore creativity and doing anything that really takes my mind off of research.
 
Q: What kept you motivated?
A: My biggest motivation was my family. I really appreciate the motivation that my team and coaches offered all through the four years, but when it came to quarantining and training away from Howard, I really had to grow up. My family really supported me through the different changes I was going through mentally, physically and spiritually. When it comes to swimming, they have always been my biggest supporters. Even if they are not able to come to every meet, I still feel their support all the way from Florida.
 
Q: If you were not competing in swimming, what sport would you play?
A: I've always been interested in other aquatic sports like water polo or rowing, but when I was in middle school, I did fencing for a while and if I could get back into that as an adult now, I would do that.
 
Q: What are your favorite memories at Howard?
A: I have so many (lol). Some of the best memories at Howard are just celebrating with my team outside of the pool whether that was at brunch or homecoming, just the fellowship with my team.
 
Also, getting to know each other outside of our sport has been the best memories.
 
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: After graduation, I will be attending Princeton University for a pre-doctoral program in the classics department, studying literature.
 
Q: What advice would you give to future Bison?
A: I would say have fun and explore. Howard is in a spot where you have so many options to familiarize yourself with the culture or explore everything DC has to offer and network.
 
Also, stay focused on the reason you are at Howard and continuously reflect on the progress that you are making.
 
Q: Who would you like to thank?
A: I would like to thank my parents because primarily Howard is their alma mater and they really coached me through the process of being at Howard. Without them, I would not have been able to graduate.
 
About Moore:

• Personal:
  • Hometown: Tallahassee, FL
  • Major: Finance major
• Academic Achievements at Howard
  • 3x-MEAC Commissioner's All-Academic Team (2020-2022)
  • Selected to the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA) Academic Honor Roll

For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.