The Art of Balance: Emma Sticklen
5/22/2024
Emma Sticklen has been making waves in the swimming world for quite some time, but her name certainly rose to the surface after defending her 200m Butterfly National Title at the NCAA Swimming National Championships this year. Her journey to being a two-time national champion has been one of dedication, perseverance, mental toughness and confidence.
Katy, Texas, born-and-raised, Emma Sticklen has loved the water from a young age. She swam in her community’s summer league before deciding to take it more seriously and join a club team in seventh grade. "I hated losing in summer league, and so my goal at that time was l to get better so I could win summer league," Emma recalls of her drive to join a club swim team.
What sets Emma apart isn’t just her intense drive and work ethic that have led to her dominance in the pool, but how it mixes with an antipodal lighthearted and fun energy that she exudes. This balance of seriousness and good humor is a characteristic shared among all her teammates, a collective spirit that Emma says contributes to the extremely special culture of Texas Women’s Swimming & Diving. This culture, led by Coach Carol Capitani, emphasizes unity, resilience and a shared commitment to excellence.
One of the main reasons Emma came to Texas is because of Coach Capitani and the culture of the program. She notes that the exceptional success of the women’s swim and dive team depends on the fine balance of hard work and authentic connection that Coach Capitani has cultivated at Texas. “We are goofballs, and we are going to be ourselves and have fun, and that ties into the culture of this program,” Emma says. “The fun energy and personalities of my teammates are something I cherish and can connect with most.”
Capitani’s mentorship and guidance has been instrumental in shaping Emma's career both in and out of the pool, and Emma explains that she’s much more than just a coach to her—she’s a source of inspiration and empowerment.
“I've learned a lot from Carol over the time that I've been here. She pushes me in a way that I feel like no one else can, especially because she's a woman and she's been able to accomplish so much in our sport. I have so much pride knowing Carol is one of the only female head coaches in the NCAA.”
I realized that while I may not have gotten this one thing I really wanted, the experience made me so much better and mentally stronger.Emma Sticklen
As with all pursuits of excellence, Emma’s journey has not been without its trials. In 2022, Emma missed making the national team by just .01 seconds. It was one of the toughest moments in her career and the sense of defeat she experienced was devastating. “I had my identity and all my self-worth wrapped up into being on the national team,” she shares straightforwardly. To help overcome adversity, Emma turned to Texas Athletics Mental Health services to get her mind right to look past the setback.
“My body is capable of a lot of things. It is strong and can swim fast, but I needed my mind to be in the right place. Now, I implement the strategies I learned in therapy into my sport,” Emma shares. “With the help of our dedicated mental health and wellness resources, I was able to turn it around that year. I realized that while I may not have gotten this one thing I really wanted, the experience made me so much better and mentally stronger.”
Emma studied exercise science at UT and is by no means unaware of the everlasting value of her education. She remarks that, “earning a degree from The University of Texas means a lot to me because I understand the weight that it carries. It’s going to open a lot of doors for me beyond competitive swimming, and I will always be proud to say I was a Texas student-athlete.” She attributes the opportunity to attend Texas and a large portion of her academic success to the support of Longhorn Foundation donors, who make the resources she relies on daily—like the academic center, tutoring and academic advisors—available.
Emma was one of 109 student-athletes who walked across stage to receive her diploma from The University of Texas earlier this month. She has set big goals for herself after graduation which, for now, include continuing her swimming career. With impressive accolades as a two-time National Champion, 16-time All-American and holder of multiple records at UT already on her resumé, we know Emma’s determination promises she will achieve whatever she sets her sights on and we are excited to watch what lies ahead for this Longhorn!
