WASHINGTON (May 31, 2023) – Howard University rising junior Media, Journalism, and Film major, Spanish minor Sareyah Rudd caught up with recent graduate Raychel Fauntroy (Miami) from the women's swimming & diving team for a quick Q and A session.
 
Q: When did you first become interested in swimming?
A: My parents made it a point to have my sister and I learn how to swim from an early age so I was in the water before I could walk. I was put in swim lessons at our community pool and picked up the skills and strokes really easily.
 
A couple years later, my mom and dad decided to put me on a club swimming team to train and swim competitively. So, swimming was something my parents strongly emphasized and eventually I ended up loving it.
 
My dad also swam competitively in high school, that is where I got my love of swimming from.
 
Q: How has swimming impacted your life?
A: Swimming has impacted my life drastically. I have been around water before I could walk and my parents made it a point for me to learn how to swim immediately.
 
It has given me so many opportunities, including teaching kids how to swim, because swimming is a life skill and I am so glad that it has been a part of my life.
 
Q: What are some sacrifices you made as a student-athlete?
A: I have definitely sacrificed my personal time and friendships outside the pool because swimming is a rigorous sport.
 
Q: What made you want to swim at Howard?
A: In 2018, I came for a campus tour and the tour guide took me to Burr where I met coach Nic (Nicholas Askew – Howard Director of Swimming & Diving) and some members of the team at the time. He invited me to watch a practice that evening and I knew that I wanted to continue my athletic career with Howard Swimming and Diving.
 
Q: What will you miss most about competing at Howard?
A: The energy that our home swim meets had was unmatched because there is no party like a Howard Swim and Dive party. We have a DJ, dancing, etc. The meet's excitement and spectators created an environment where we can feed off each other's energy. Coach always says, "We are the energy." That is definitely going to be missed.
 
Q: What are your plans post-graduation?
A: I plan to continue my education and earn my master's degree in nutrition during the fall.
 
About Fauntroy:

• Personal:
  • Hometown: Miami, Florida
  • Major: Human Performance; Concentration in Sports Medicine
  • Minor(s): Biology, Psychology
• Academic Achievements at Howard:
  • Phi Beta Kappa inductee (2020-2021)
  • Dean's List (2019-2023)
• Athletic Achievements at Howard:
  • Women's Swimming and Diving Most Improved (2021-2022)
  • Women's team Captain (2022-2023)

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