by Xochitl Campos
Daily Lobo
For senior swimmer Tori Clarridge, her love of competition hasn't changed in the last four years - just the amount of responsibilities outside her sport.
Clarridge said she had her clinical hours in the nursing program Thursday after swimming in four relay events against CSU in Seidler Natatorium.
"That is going to be my biggest accomplishment this year - just getting through nursing school while still being a competitive athlete," she said.
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This semester, Clarridge works with UNM head coach Tracy Ljone two hours before and after school. Her clinical hours are from 7 a.m. until about 4 p.m.
Still, Clarridge succeeds in
the pool.
She came in first place in two of four relays Saturday.
Ljone said Clarridge leads her team by example: She trains hard in the water and in school.
"She comes in and swims at night on her own," she said. "She has the respect of everyone on the team for that."
At the beginning of the year, Clarridge was worried the demands of the nursing program would keep her from
swimming with the Lobos this year, Ljone said.
Clarridge said she credits Ljone for helping her meet her goals in the pool this season.
"Tracy has been a really good motivation," she said. "She is helping me make up my practices while I have to do my clinical hours, and the team supports me a lot through that as well."
Teammate Amina Adnan said the team supports Clarridge. Some of her teammates have swam with her since she came to UNM in 2004.
"She is always the one that never gives up on a race and doesn't give up until she wins," she said.
Adnan said Clarridge's academic demands have not changed her priorities as a competitive
swimmer.
"Being a swimmer and a nursing student, she just juggles," she said. "I don't know how she juggles."
Clarridge said her goal for the season is to place within the top-three at the Mountain West Conference Championships.
"I was fourth last year in the (100-yard backstroke), so hopefully I can medal," she said. "You always want to go out and swim your best and swim your
fastest."
Clarridge, who has been a sprinter since she started swimming, said she will miss the competition when the season ends.
Her role next year is cheering on the team, she said.
"I'm especially going to miss the girls," she said. "They've become my family over the last four years."
