In The Pool with Carmen San Nicolas

“In The Pool” is a series highlighting the University of Miami swimming & diving student-athletes. Next up is one of Miami’s sophomore swimmers, Carmen San Nicolas.

My hometown is close. It is love, it is family, it is a community.
 
I came to Miami to swim and study at the best level.
 
My goal this season is to get better and swim faster than last season and make some finals at ACC Championships and keep improving. I would like to go fast enough in Mesa (a long course meters meet at the end of the season) to qualify for Spanish Nationals and do well there.
 
The best part of Miami is the diversity. I have talked to other Spanish people who have come to the United States and they always say so many things about Americans, and I’m like ‘No.’ Here, everyone is like a family and everything is super diverse. Also, there is always something to do here. Oh, and the weather!
 
ACC Championships is the big, ultimate goal. I am excited to see as a team what we can do there because I think we can do really well.
 
My team is the best team in the world. My team is my family apart from home. I am thankful for every girl and the coaches, it is so amazing.
 
My coaches  are so good. They take a lot of care of us and I think they are so smart and talented, and I think they are perfect for me and are so supportive.
 
People would be surprised to know I love reading about philosophy and math.
 
If I could wake up anywhere in the world right now, I would wake up in my house with my family.
 
My sophomore year is going to be amazing. I am going to make it the best so far.
 
Swimming is my life, basically. I like it, it is so competitive, it is 100-percent me.
 
My walkout song would be ‘Can’t Stop’ by Red Hot Chili Peppers. That song, I don’t listen to it ever, I save it because it gets me all in. That is the best song.