Members of Rowan men's swimming celebrate with Ella Pennington following her third consecutive All-American honor. - Photo via Rowan Athletics
The number three was a common theme for Ella Pennington at the NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships at the Greensboro Aquatic Complex in Greensboro, North Carolina.
For the third year in a row, Pennington was named an All-American, after getting three nods in three separate events.
Pennington’s 37 points garnered Rowan women’s swimming a 19th place finish, the sole Prof representing her team in Greensboro. Last year, she tallied nine points that translated into a 35th place finish for her team.
Despite swimming solo, she says she didn’t feel under pressure to succeed as an individual.
“It’s less about pressure to do well and more about wanting to represent them [my team] well and I want them to be proud of me, because they’re putting in so much effort,” Pennington said. “I really want to be able to represent my team because I see them putting in so much work every day, and they also are so supportive of me. They’re always cheering me on.”
Pennington also secured a Second Team All-American honor in the 100 fly, after a ninth place finish in the consolation finals (54.77). This marked her first career All-American nod in this event. She also earned second team honors in the 100 back, finishing seventh with a time of 55.49.
Her highest place in the championships came in the 200 back at third (1:58.64), improving upon back-to-back second-team appearances in her previous two seasons.
Reflecting on her multiple accolades, Pennington says her success isn’t individualized.
“It just feels really good to represent the program at such a high level and show that we may be small, but we’re more mighty and we can still perform at the same level as these bigger schools,” Pennington said. “This program is strong and capable.”
With her third season as a Prof officially over, she leaves the Division III championships with a trio of All-American honors and her senior season on the horizon.
“I’m most looking forward to just spending one last year with my team and just making all the memories I possibly can before I make my way out,” Pennington said. “And honestly, I think just everyone is really looking forward to next season after conferences and I feel like it’s going to be really easy to keep that competition level high when we all have such high goals for this team.”
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