The women’s swimming and diving team has amassed a solid record heading into the Atlantic 10 Championships at the end of February, thanks in part to one of Saint Louis University’s all-time best swimmers.
“Elena Ramirez is probably the best swimmer we have ever had here,” head swimming and diving coach Jim Halliburton said. “She is probably No. 1 on the list.”
Halliburton said that in the mid-’80s, there were some other great swimmers, but that Ramirez tops them all.
“I always focus on details, and I think that is something that has helped me. I always focus on the little things,” Ramirez said. “Even if I have a bad race, I focus on what I can do better the next time. I think that has helped me become the swimmer I am today.”
As far as this season goes, Halliburton said that Ramirez has had some scheduling difficulties.
“She has done alright this season, but she struggled early on with class schedules and work schedules interfering with practice,” he said.
“She has won two events at A-10’s in her freshman and sophomore years in the 100 butterfly and 200 butterfly. This year, it will be tough for her to win the 100 butterfly, but hopefully her 200 butterfly will come along, and that she’ll do well,” Halliburton said.
Halliburton said that, while this season might not be as good compared to Ramirez’s first two campaigns, it has still been a solid season for the junior from Champaign, Ill.
“This year has not been quite as good,” Halliburton said. “She was undefeated her first two years-she never lost a race. This year, she has been beaten a couple of times. She just needs a good last two weeks to this season.”
Halliburton said he hopes that Ramirez will have a good showing at the Atlantic 10 Conference Championships.
“Ramirez is going to swim the 100 backstroke at conference. She is also going to swim the 100 butterfly, and we hope that she can place in the top four in that event,” Halliburton said. “She will swim the 200 butterfly and we hope that she can win that for the third year in a row.”
“The last two years, I’ve won the 100 and 200 butterfly. I am not seeded as well this year, but I am still going in with a positive attitude,” Ramirez said. “I would like to make the NCAA qualifying time. I’ve done that the last two years, but haven’t been able to swim at the NCAA Championships.”
The NCAA has two qualifying standards for the championships. One is an automatic qualifying standard, while the other is a provisional standard. Ramirez has hit the provisional standard the last two years, but has not been selected to go to NCAA Championships.
“This year, I hope to hit the automatic qualifying standard,” Ramirez said about her goal for the upcoming Atlantic 10 Championship.
With Ramirez’s success, she has served as a good role model and leader for the team.
“She is a very good leader. The swimmers really look to her to win events and to help the medley relay. The swimmers do look up to her,” Halliburton said.
“I’m really looking forward to conference,” Ramirez said. “I think the team will do well. Everyone is excited to swim fast at conference.”
