Reclaiming the gold that eluded them last year, the women of the FAST Ateneo Swimming Team (FAST) stole the headlines after a campaign of redemption in Season 80 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Swimming tournament. Overcoming the pain of falling short the previous year, the Lady Eagles emerged victorious this time around, with Courtney Gray splashing into prominence as both Rookie of the Year (ROTY) and Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Nicknamed the “Pool Princess” from Palawan, the backstroke specialist added pedigree and excitement to an already stacked roster of Atenean swimmers, with her reputation preceding her debut in the collegiate waters.
Prior to Season 80, Gray earned the honor of representing the Philippines at the 2017 South East Asian (SEA) Games, where she competed in the 10km marathon swim event. Though she failed to make the podium, her international appearances already attest to her prodigious talent, especially for an event that requires a high level of stamina and strategy.
However, despite being a highly touted recruit who is expected to make a splash into the UAAP spotlight, Gray’s transition into the college lanes was less than ideal. “I only had one month to train after coming back from the SEA Games for a different sport,” shares Gray. “My game plan was to just swim well and earn points for the team.”
But despite initial misgivings and a different game plan, Gray took the competition by storm with a breakout campaign for FAST, taking home the silver in the 200m individual medley and three gold medals from the 50m, 100m, and 200m backstroke categories. Her phenomenal debut season was headlined by a record-tying swim in the 50m backstroke, which cemented her ascension to the league’s highest levels.
Gray’s individual triumph narrates an impressive tale of how the Lady Eagle blossomed into a game-changing weapon for the Blue and White through confidence and composure beyond her years. Not content with her achievements this season, she has expressed her willingness to grow both as a swimmer and as a leader for the team, turning her game into a battle both in and out of the pool.
“I plan to spread positive energy within the team and set a good example, especially in the amount of hard work put into training.” Gray says. “I hope to increase my skill range so that I can do better in more events outside my main stroke, and that’s how I plan to help my team defend our title.”
With a full preseason of preparation coming, a year of experience under her belt, and a commitment to continuous improvement, Gray looks not only to be a prolific swimmer but a cornerstone for a budding dynasty. After shining in her debut dive into the country’s top collegiate league, the rookie might just be the spark that will light up FAST’s path to gold in the seasons to come.
