When a student athlete signs a letter of intent to be part of the team at his or her college of choice, it’s a moment that will forever affect that person’s future. When that same moment is a historical one, well, that’s pretty amazing indeed.
And that’s just the way Allan Hancock College sophomore Leanna Bramble described the feeling she had on May 5, when she became the first swimmer in the program’s two-year history to sign a letter of intent to a four-year university. With her coach, family, and friends surrounding her inside the Joe White Memorial Gymnasium, Bramble made things official when she added her signature to the contract that will allow her to attend Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash., and swim with the Division III Pirates swim program.
“This is just so amazing, I have been given an amazing opportunity,” said Bramble, a graduate of Orcutt Academy. “The swim program at Whitworth is excellent, and the school is Christian-based, which is what I was looking for; my faith plays a big role in my life.”
When the AHC swim program kicked off its inaugural season last year, Bramble jumped in the pool to compete alongside her fellow Bulldogs and garnered 11 school records over the course of two years. Her drive and determination led Bramble to earn Western State Conference records for both her 100- and 200-yard breaststroke events.
By the close of the 2015 season, Bramble added two additional top finishing times with her fourth-place finish in the 100-yard breaststroke and her fifth-place finish in the 200-yard breaststroke at the California Community College Athletic Association’s Women’s Swimming State Championships earlier this month. She was Hancock’s only state qualifier over the last two years.
Mike Ashmore, Hancock’s head swim coach, has been coaching Bramble since she was 12 and a swimmer with the Santa Maria Swim Club. He said to witness his athlete move forward to the university level is “quite exciting.”
“For Leanna to realize this dream of swimming for a Division III level program is tremendous,” Ashmore said. “As an athlete, she sets the example for other swimmers in the pool by showing her commitment to the sport and in how hard she works.”
Bramble is following in her coach’s footsteps as she moves forward—Whitworth is the very same university Ashmore attended and swam for. In fact, he roomed with the swimmer who would later become the head coach for the Pirates, Steve Schadt.
“Steve is an amazing coach, and it’s fitting that Leanna will be swimming in his program,” Ashmore said. “As she moves on, Leanna has quite a bit more that she can bring to the program at Whitworth, and I anticipate great things to come out of her career with the Pirates.”
Since 2003, the Pirates swim program has earned four Northwest Conference championships under Schadt’s direction and finished their 2014-2015 season third in the conference. Schadt said when Bramble paid a visit to the university it was apparent right away that she would be a good fit for the team.
“In addition to her swim records and her athletic abilities, Leanna’s personality really stands out,” Schadt said. “When she visited, the team really enjoyed having her here; she is going to fit right in. I am looking forward to having Leanna be part of our program.”
Bramble commented that she checked out a few other colleges, but when she stepped onto the Whitworth campus and made her way to the pool area she knew right away that the school and swim program were “a perfect fit.”
“I love the Washington area, and the Whitworth campus is so beautiful,” said Bramble, adding that she will pursue a biology degree at Whitworth as she looks forward to becoming a physician’s assistant specializing in pediatrics. “Everyone was so nice and welcoming, and they made me feel right away like I was already part of the team.”
As she prepares to finish up her final days at AHC, Bramble said her experiences locally and the support of so many will go with her as she moves to the university level of academics and athletic competition.
“My family has always been supportive and my dad is my No. 1 cheerleader,” Bramble said. “I would not be where I am today without the guidance of my coach and the encouragement of my teammates. Most of all, I give thanks to God for my abilities—I am blessed.”
Sun contributor Meagan Friberg can be reached through Editor Camillia Lanham at clanham@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in May 14-21, 2015.