Julie Xiong ’23 wrapped up her senior season representing Smith at the NCAA Division III National Championships at the Greensboro Aquatic Center in North Carolina on March 16 and March 17. She competed in the 100-meter butterfly, 100-meter breaststroke, and placed 18th (her highest national rank) in the 200-meter butterfly.
This is Xiong’s second time representing her team on the national level after three years on the team, as her first season was canceled due to COVID-19. She was also a Winter Academic All-Conference Honoree both this season and last season and placed 3rd in the NEWMAC Conference Championships in the 200-meter fly, clocking a time of 2:04.57.
Even though Xiong was the sole representative of her team both this year and last year, she said the support from the rest of the team was strong. They cheered her on through the live stream of her races and even surprised her with a homemade poster in the locker room, which she said was much appreciated. She also relied on her teammates to help her break the 800-meter freestyle relay school record last year, with a time of 7:52.86.
Xiong also accredited her success to her flexibility and advised incoming first year athletes to adopt a flexible mindset as well. Coming in her first year as an international student from Shanghai, China and having her inaugural collegiate season canceled as a result of the pandemic was not an easy transition, but she handled it with grace and adaptability.
The swimmer said she had to learn to adapt to the different coaching styles and training schedule, but that the transition was made easier by the welcoming attitude of her older teammates. Even small hang-outs after practice helped her form close relationships with the rest of the team and made the transition to a new college, team and country much easier.
Xiong has had an impressive collegiate athletic career, breaking three school records (800-meter free relay, 100-meter fly, 200-meter fly), of which she said her proudest accomplishment was winning and breaking a school record in her favorite event, the 200-meter fly at the NEWMAC championship last year with a time of 2:03.16.
Post-graduation, Xiong plans to continue swimming, though maybe not in a competitive setting. While she loves the sport, she plans on attending dental school, and thinks that she wants to try swimming just for fun and exercise for a little while. However, she hopes to maybe compete again sometime in the future. Either way, Xiong’s historic swim career at Smith has inspired many and has contributed to a culture of competitiveness, resilience and comradery on the team that will continue long past her graduation.
