If there were one word that could perfectly describe how the SanDiego State’s women’s swimming team feels about senior Hannah Ryan,it would be admiration.
“Iadmire Hannah so much,” senior Jennifer Graham said. “She’s a greatrole model for the team.”
Ryan may be a small town girl, but she possesses a big heart.
She was born on July 22, 1982 in San Francisco, but was raised inSonoma County, Calif. Since the age of 10, she has been very involvedin swimming. But don’t think that is Ryan’s only talent. She also tapdanced for seven years starting at the age of 7.
But once she hit her freshman year of high school, she began totake swimming seriously.
Although most of her teammates have described her as a veryfun-loving and happy person, they also state that she is a verydedicated person who takes her priorities seriously.
“She’s a very driven person,” Graham said. “She never gives up,and she gives 110 percent.”
It’s obvious that Ryan wants to succeed in all that she does. Thisis shown in her leadership. But behind the scenes, outside ofpractice, sophomore co-captain Emily Schmied gets to see firsthandRyan’s commitment.
“She is willing to go above and beyond,” Schmied said. “She doesextra work outside of swimming. She’s always trying to improveherself. She does extra weights and practices more when she has thetime.”
All of Ryan’s hard work has definitely paid off. She earned thetitle of Mountain West Conference Swimmer of the Week on Nov. 19,beat her own best times and accomplished more than most swimmers inthe MWC.
Lastseason, Ryan swam a 1:52.74 in the 200-meter freestyle at the MWCChampionship meet, which is the best time on the team and the secondbest in all the history of the program. She also swam in the1,000-meter freestyle event in 10:27.86, the third-best time in allof the Aztec history.
“I just try to do the best that I can,” Ryan said. “I’mdetermined, focused and disciplined. I just want to be successful inall that I do.”
Ryan also has a very positive outlook on life, according toteammates, and tries her hardest until she accomplishes her goals.
What inspires Ryan to be so determined? She obviously has a greathead on her shoulders. Ryan’s little sisters Gina, 19, and Christina,17, inspire her. They look up to her, and she just wants to set thebest example she can for them.
“They inspire me to do the best that I can because they look at(how I deal with life),” Ryan says. “They see the dedication that Iput into the sport and the way I present myself.”
When asked about her future goals, Ryan just laughs.
“I just want to be happy!” She laughs. “I’m not set on just onejob idea, but all I know is that I want to be successful in whateverit is I end up doing.”
With such motivation and dedication, nothing seems to be too hardfor Ryan, but still she sees things that she hopes to improve on.
“I strive to be a better leader and to be able to speak up more,”she said. “I strive for more confidence and not to be afraid ofsuccess.”
Ryan has used her leadership qualities in leading an improved teamthis season. Along with the help of her co-captain Schmied and hercoach Deena Schmidt, she has been able to lead her team into a betterseason, as SDSU has won two of its last three meets – last season theAztecs finished in last place at the MWC Championships.
“I just want to end this season with no regrets,” Ryan said.
SDSU’s next meet is a double-dual competition at 1 p.m. Saturdayagainst Colorado State and Air Force in Fort Collins, Colo.
