Friday, January 6, 2023
Anna Auld Channels Her Inner Fire to Open Water Success
Anna Auld was just 11 years old when she first tried an open water competition.
Although she admits it was largely for the experience, that meet stoked an internal fire in her that now burns stronger than ever.
“I love to race, and there really isn’t anything like racing in open water,” said Auld, a sophomore at the University of Florida. “I love that it’s not about time standards. It’s truly about who can get to the finish line first.”
At that meet, the Ocean Mile at Lake Worth Beach in her home state of Florida, Auld held her own but didn’t leave with any hardware.
She saw the big trophy being presented to the champion and knew right away that she wanted the same for herself in the future.
The next year, with her dad in the hospital and unable to attend and cheer her on, Auld won the race and brought the trophy to her dad.
“He was so surprised when I walked in with the trophy,” she said. “He told me he was so proud of me. That meant more than winning the trophy. I keep it on a shelf in my bedroom with my other medals. It’s very special.”
Having grown up around and in the water, Auld learned to swim from her dad in her family’s backyard pool, emulating her older sister. Originally, it was just for water safety since she lived just 10 minutes from the ocean and had a home pool, but it quickly evolved from there – as did her love for the sport.
While she prefers the freedom of open water competition, Auld continues to put her miles in every day as a member of the University of Florida women’s swimming and diving team.
She said while it’s been a tremendous learning experience living in Gainesville, her first year took some adjustment.
“I really had to adapt to the difference in training from club to college,” Auld said. “We do a lot of intense aerobic sets with tight intervals, and that was different from what I was used to. That year made me a better swimmer, and that has translated in both the pool and open water.”
Training every day alongside the best female distance swimmer in history has also helped immensely.
Last year, Olympic legend and world-record-holder Katie Ledecky moved to Gainesville to train. Once she moved past the starstruck feelings of training with her idol, Auld quickly discovered the genuine learning experience.
“First, I learned how humble she is despite all she’s accomplished, and then I saw first-hand how she does things to be such a tremendous athlete and champion,” Auld said. “Her drive during practice is the same level as when she’s competing. She’s so inspiring.”
Being in the pool with Ledecky, who Auld said makes her push herself more and more every day in practice, has raised her game.
After finishing fourth at this year’s Open Water National Championships, Auld competed in the first leg of the 2022 FINA Marathon Swim World Series in Portugal in May. She then swam at FINA World Open Water Championships in Budapest, Hungary. In the 5k and 25k events, she finished 20th and seventh, respectively.
Cumulatively, those experiences and results propelled her to qualify for her first U.S. National Team this summer. It’s an honor that she said seemed unattainable just a few years ago but has since changed her mindset about her future in the water – both pool and open.
“If you had told me, even as early as this past January, that I would make the National Team, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Auld said. “It’s been a huge goal of mine for several years, and I wouldn’t have done it without the support and participation of my coaches and teammates at Florida.
“The World Series and World Championships were both a little intimidating because it was my first time competing among the best in the world in such big events. I quickly found my form and channeled my inner aggression and held my own. I know those experiences will only make me a better competitor in the future.”
As one of several young swimmers carrying the torch left behind by two of the United States’ and world’s best open water swimmers, Haley Anderson and Ashley Twichell (who both retired this year), Auld said she feels a definite sense of responsibility to continue their success.
“I think the group of girls right now on the National Team are part of the next wave; we bring a lot of young energy,” Auld said of herself, Katie Grimes, Mariah Denigan, Summer Smith and Kensey McMahon. “I do see myself as a part of this next wave, and I’m so excited to be a part of it with these other amazing athletes.
“I think the pressure to accomplish what Ashley and Haley accomplished is more inspiring for me than anything. They’re the best of the best, and I still have a long path ahead of me to get there.”
Although she admits it was largely for the experience, that meet stoked an internal fire in her that now burns stronger than ever.
“I love to race, and there really isn’t anything like racing in open water,” said Auld, a sophomore at the University of Florida. “I love that it’s not about time standards. It’s truly about who can get to the finish line first.”
At that meet, the Ocean Mile at Lake Worth Beach in her home state of Florida, Auld held her own but didn’t leave with any hardware.
She saw the big trophy being presented to the champion and knew right away that she wanted the same for herself in the future.
The next year, with her dad in the hospital and unable to attend and cheer her on, Auld won the race and brought the trophy to her dad.
“He was so surprised when I walked in with the trophy,” she said. “He told me he was so proud of me. That meant more than winning the trophy. I keep it on a shelf in my bedroom with my other medals. It’s very special.”
Having grown up around and in the water, Auld learned to swim from her dad in her family’s backyard pool, emulating her older sister. Originally, it was just for water safety since she lived just 10 minutes from the ocean and had a home pool, but it quickly evolved from there – as did her love for the sport.
While she prefers the freedom of open water competition, Auld continues to put her miles in every day as a member of the University of Florida women’s swimming and diving team.
She said while it’s been a tremendous learning experience living in Gainesville, her first year took some adjustment.
“I really had to adapt to the difference in training from club to college,” Auld said. “We do a lot of intense aerobic sets with tight intervals, and that was different from what I was used to. That year made me a better swimmer, and that has translated in both the pool and open water.”
Training every day alongside the best female distance swimmer in history has also helped immensely.
Last year, Olympic legend and world-record-holder Katie Ledecky moved to Gainesville to train. Once she moved past the starstruck feelings of training with her idol, Auld quickly discovered the genuine learning experience.
“First, I learned how humble she is despite all she’s accomplished, and then I saw first-hand how she does things to be such a tremendous athlete and champion,” Auld said. “Her drive during practice is the same level as when she’s competing. She’s so inspiring.”
Being in the pool with Ledecky, who Auld said makes her push herself more and more every day in practice, has raised her game.
After finishing fourth at this year’s Open Water National Championships, Auld competed in the first leg of the 2022 FINA Marathon Swim World Series in Portugal in May. She then swam at FINA World Open Water Championships in Budapest, Hungary. In the 5k and 25k events, she finished 20th and seventh, respectively.
Cumulatively, those experiences and results propelled her to qualify for her first U.S. National Team this summer. It’s an honor that she said seemed unattainable just a few years ago but has since changed her mindset about her future in the water – both pool and open.
“If you had told me, even as early as this past January, that I would make the National Team, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Auld said. “It’s been a huge goal of mine for several years, and I wouldn’t have done it without the support and participation of my coaches and teammates at Florida.
“The World Series and World Championships were both a little intimidating because it was my first time competing among the best in the world in such big events. I quickly found my form and channeled my inner aggression and held my own. I know those experiences will only make me a better competitor in the future.”
As one of several young swimmers carrying the torch left behind by two of the United States’ and world’s best open water swimmers, Haley Anderson and Ashley Twichell (who both retired this year), Auld said she feels a definite sense of responsibility to continue their success.
“I think the group of girls right now on the National Team are part of the next wave; we bring a lot of young energy,” Auld said of herself, Katie Grimes, Mariah Denigan, Summer Smith and Kensey McMahon. “I do see myself as a part of this next wave, and I’m so excited to be a part of it with these other amazing athletes.
“I think the pressure to accomplish what Ashley and Haley accomplished is more inspiring for me than anything. They’re the best of the best, and I still have a long path ahead of me to get there.”