Northwestern Swimming & Diving Director Rachel Stratton-Mills is a busy woman. With a promising season under her belt, she's now taking on a new role as President of the CSCAA Board of Directors. In this interview, she discusses the development of her team, the changes made to the NCAA Championship format, and the future of the sport.
Stratton-Mills is optimistic about the future of Northwestern Swimming & Diving. As a third-year leader, she's seen her team's performance improve, especially on the men's side. They placed 4th at the B1G conference champs and scored a relay at the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2008. She attributes this success to the team's hard work and dedication, and she's hopeful that there's much more to come.
On the CSCAA side of things, Stratton-Mills is shedding light on the changes made to the NCAA Championship format. She recognizes that not all changes were hits, but she's working with the CSCAA NCAA DI Working Group of coaches to make more meaningful changes. One of the changes made was the elimination of B-Finals, which she believes will help to streamline the competition and make it more exciting for both athletes and spectators.
Another change that Stratton-Mills is particularly proud of is the new diving format for finals. She believes that this will help to showcase the diving talent in a more effective way, and she's excited to see how it plays out. However, she also acknowledges that there are still some kinks to be worked out, and she's committed to making the changes necessary to ensure a fair and exciting competition.
In terms of the future of the sport, Stratton-Mills is optimistic about the potential for growth and development. She believes that the changes made to the NCAA Championship format will help to attract more athletes and spectators to the sport, and she's committed to working with the CSCAA to make the sport more accessible and inclusive.
Overall, Rachel Stratton-Mills is a passionate and dedicated leader who is committed to the success of Northwestern Swimming & Diving and the growth of the sport. Her work with the CSCAA and her leadership at Northwestern make her a valuable asset to the swimming community, and she's sure to make a positive impact in her new role as President of the CSCAA Board of Directors.
