Written by Kennedy Dinius '17
Finishing her junior year with six attempts and one goal, Ashley Letrich is excited to get in the water one last season. She has been getting stronger everyday after coming off shoulder surgery and hopes to help the Broncos bring home a championship. With the Golden Coast Conference right around the corner, Santa Clara Broncos (SCB) caught up with Letrich to see how she has prepared for the season.
SCB: As a senior, what are you most excited for this season?
AL: Since this is my last year, I am excited to really push myself for one more year and help the younger players as well push themselves. I am excited to see how our team develops and works together this season. I think we have a very diverse team and everyone has different roles. It will be exciting to see how myself and the other six seniors take a leadership role and bring that into the pool. I believe we have a great senior class and I am excited to work with my fellow seniors. I am excited for our new conference (GCC) and working towards winning it the first year that these new teams have come together.
SCB: What have you done to prepare for the upcoming season?
AL: I had shoulder surgery the end of last season so I have been doing continuous physical therapy to strengthen it and come back in full force. I have been swimming and doing cardio every day during the break to make sure I came back in shape. I believe that cross training is really helpful when coming off of an injury and I continue to do that to make myself better in the water.
SCB: Do you have any personal goals for the upcoming season?
AL: I personally set a goal everyday to push myself 100% during practice and games. I learned last year that you never know when you may get injured or sick and cannot play anymore. This season I personally will be playing everyday like it is my last. It is my senior year and this is my last shot at bettering myself and my team. I do not want to walk away from a practice or a game thinking I could have given it a little more effort. I want to always give it everything I've got.
SCB: What is your favorite part about being a student-athlete here at SCU?
AL: Santa Clara is truly an amazing university and I have never been so proud to be a student and an athlete. I love the fact that I get to play the sport I love at a school that is top tier academically. Being a student-athlete at SCU has shown me that I can be great at time management, a great teammate, and a great student all at the same time. Who wouldn't want to continue playing a sport that they love and get a great education at the same time? It truly is a great opportunity and I have loved every second of it.