Lapping the Competition: Kelly Pash
3/9/2023
Ever swim a few laps? How about swim a mile? Or miles? And then repeat it day after day? Welcome to the world of collegiate swimming. A demanding sport, swimming is one that requires strength, endurance, and a strong mental game.
For All-American swimmer Kelly Pash, it’s all part of her daily journey at The University of Texas as she strives to lead her team to this year’s National Championship.
It’s also a family tradition. Pash was raised in Carmel, Indiana where she was surrounded by swimmers and competition. The youngest of three girls, Pash was heavily influenced by her older sisters.
“Growing up, my siblings were my biggest role models” said Pash. “I just followed their lead in whatever they did and that eventually led me to swimming.”
Pash’s journey to the pool has paid off as she has become one of the cornerstones for the UT women’s swim team. And even though her decision to come to Texas was significant, it was a fairly easy one for Pash.
“I chose UT because of the great coaching staff and amazing team” said Pash. “I just love the culture here and how supportive everyone is. It was very clear to me that I was meant to be at Texas.
Since her arrival on the Forty Acres, Pash has continued to improve and set new records. Pash is a standout in several events including the 100-yard and 200-yard freestyle, 200-yard butterfly, 200-yard IM while holding school records in the 200 free and 400 medley relay. Under the guidance of Coach Carol Capitani, Pash has helped the women’s swim team achieve impressive results on both the conference and national stages. And her dedication to the sport has not gone unnoticed. A 15-time All-American, Pash has been recognized as one of the top swimmers in the country, earning 2021-2022 Big 12 Swimmer of the Year honors this past year.
“Coach Carol is so special and she’s just such a great role model” said Pash. “She’s very supportive and does a great job of showing us the right way to do things on and off the deck.”
Additionally, this past year, the Women’s Swimming and Diving team finished as the National runner-up at the NCAA meet.
“We just had so much momentum as a team and kept rolling together during the meet” said Pash. “I think we surprised ourselves. Our coaches just kept us calm, and we were having fun, which led to us having success at the meet.”
During her time at Texas, Pash has utilized every resource available to student-athletes to help her be successful in the pool and in the classroom. Now, the senior corporate communications major can reflect on the opportunity she has as a scholarship athlete with gratitude.
“Without a scholarship, I'm not even sure where I’d be,” said Pash. “My scholarship has given me the opportunity to come to a school that has the resources and everything I need to succeed in school and athletics.”
Moreover, she is thankful to Longhorn Foundation donors for their passion and support.
I'm just so thankful. Because of the donors, I have this amazing opportunity to get my degree from UT and compete in the sport I love. I just can’t thank them enough. UT has given me the opportunity to be surrounded by great people, great athletics and great academics, which is everything to me.Kelly Pash
This past summer, Pash and some of her teammates had the unique opportunity to participate in the Mare Nostrum Swim Tour in Europe. This experience gave Pash an up-close glimpse at what a day in the life of professional swimming looks like.
“It was such a great opportunity because it honestly changed my whole perspective on swimming,” said Pash. “We were able to compete with international swimmers, so it just gave me a unique view on what it’s like in the professional swim world.”
That international experience will be beneficial as Pash aspires to swim professionally once her collegiate career is over.
“With the Olympics next year, I’m hoping to make the Olympic team and then see where my career takes me from there,” said Pash.
This year, however, Pash and the UT Women’s Swimming and Diving team are looking to build on last year’s second place finish. According to Pash, her team has a very specific objective.
“We’re just taking it one meet at a time, but I think we’re in a great spot,” said Pash. “Our end goal is to definitely win a National Championship and bring home that trophy for Texas.”
