Spring Break
Freshman swims lengths to Aggieland
By: T.D. Durham
Issue date: 1/23/09 Section: Sports
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"I guess I never realized how much smaller I was than everyone else until I came here," Medrano said. "It's nice to be 'the surprise' when I can beat a girl twice my size."
After graduating first in her class and posting a record-breaking high school career in her hometown of Aguacalientes, Mexico, Medrano traveled more than 700 miles to become an Aggie.
Recruited through e-mails and a personal visit from Head Coach Steve Bultman, the freshman never made a trip to the campus before choosing to attend. Medrano said the spirit she found in Aggieland was enough to pull her away from her family, friends
and country.
"It was a difficult decision. I knew I would miss my family," Medrano said. "But now I'm completely sure that I made the right decision, this is my second family now."
In her first season, Medrano has settled in with her new family as a key swimmer in the 200-yard and 100-yard butterfly events.
In December 2008, Medrano won three national titles and earned three national records in her butterfly swims at the 2008 Mexican Short Course National Championships.
Medrano's next test with her teammates is Friday against Texas at her new home pool in College Station.
"Most people don't think the rivalry still exists in swimming," said junior team captain Melissa Hain. "But we get just as fired up as football does against those swimmers from Austin."
It did not take Medrano long to become a part of the rivalry with the Aggies' neighbors from Austin.
"It amazes me how quickly I got into the competition with [Texas]," Medrano said. "It's crazy how much I want to beat them."
Bultman said the showdown on Friday will be a rough competition all around the pool for the Aggie women, who have defeated the Longhorns in the previous two meets.
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