Junior Samantha Li balances academic rigors and competitive swimming

It is no secret that becoming a professional athlete takes dedication and resilience. Junior Samantha Li knows the hard work she must put in to be a D1 swimmer. Since 2013, Li has been training with her Hayward-based club swim team, the East Bay Bat Rays, known as EBAT. Practices add up to over 12 hours every week, after school and on the weekend. At home, she does extra conditioning in her garage gym, which includes both cardio and strength training. 

In December, Li traveled to Austin, Texas to participate in the 2021 Winter Junior Nationals. She is the first swimmer from her club team to qualify for this elite meet since 2015. 

“It was cool to see the top swimmers in the country, including swimmers on the USA national team and 2021 Olympic team,” Li shared. 

Over the course of three days in Austin, Li raced in the 200 free, 100 free, and 50 free. “To prepare for the meet, my coach Mark Sand and I discussed my goal times and planned special practices to prepare me. About half a week before the meet, we backed off on the intensity of our workouts and rested up for the meet.” Li ended up placing 62nd out of 123 in the 50 free, 64th out of 124 in the 100 free, and 47th out of 101 in the 200 free. 

Being a devoted scholar while attending vigorous team practices can be a hard balance. “I balance school and swim by making sure I study for tests ahead of time, and do my homework as soon as I get home from swim, since I only have about three hours after practice before going to sleep.” 

Li’s layout for her future requires that she stays on top of her classes, as she plans to have many academic choices after graduation. Though Li is only a junior, she is already in contact with many D1 colleges, and has even received a scholarship from a UC. 

“While I’m honored to have received an offer, I am waiting for my March SAT in hopes of hearing from more universities,” she said. Speaking mainly with California and east coast colleges, Li has high hopes for her education. “My dream is to receive an offer from Columbia University, who I am already in contact with, to study business and live in New York.” 

Li is a passionate scholar athlete, and hopes to use swimming as a gateway to many academic opportunities.