The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE most accomplished Bahamian swimmer, Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace, has returned to her alma mater, but she’s not in the mood to be doing any swimming right now.

Not officially retired yet from the sport that has enabled her to break a number of barriers for the Bahamas, Vanderpool-Wallace has secured her first full-time job as the Director of Operators for the Auburn Tigers’ swimming and diving teams.

“It wasn’t my intention when I came back here to pursue my masters degree, but the person who held the position ended up leaving within the first couple of months,” Vanderpool-Wallace told The Tribune.

“So I applied for it and I got it. That’s what I’ve been doing. I’ve been training, but I’ve been keeping a low profile since the Rio Olympics (last year) because I was mentally exhausted, so I’m taking a year off to get my head on straight and to fall in love with the sport again.”

The 27-year-old, who also represented the Bahamas at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, 2014 Commonwealth Games, 2007 American Games and 2006 and 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games, was scheduled to participate in the FINA World Championships this summer, but she opted not to make the trip.

As for the time frame for her return, Vanderpool-Wallace said she’s not certain.

“It’s undecided. I’m taking it day by day,” she said. “Whenever I’m ready, I will get out there and compete. I’m just not sure when, but I’m not retired yet.”

In the meantime, Vanderpool-Wallace said she’s excited about returning to make another contribution to Auburn University where she starred on their swim team where she was an NCAA champion, under coach Brett Hawke.

“It’s a lot of work, but I’m enjoying it,” said Vanderpool-Wallace, who takes care of all of the logistical works that is associated with their team travel and team gear and equipment.

“I am enjoying it and I enjoy giving back to Auburn. They led me to where I am today, so I’m happy that I can come back and work with coach Brett, who was my coach at the London 2012 Olympics.

“So it’s nice to be back and working with him.”

As for not competing, being around the pool watching the swimmers in training, Vanderpool-Wallace admitted that she doesn’t miss it at all.

“I think I have enough competition under my belt to last me for years of being out of the sport and getting up on the blocks to compete,” she said.

The first Bahamian to make a final at the Olympics in 2008 in London said she will definitely be back and hopefully then she can make up for the time she missed.

Vanderpool-Wallace still holds the Bahamas national record in the women’s 50 metres (24.31 seconds), 10-0m free (53.73), 50m fly (25.53), 100m fly (58.87) and 200m fly (2:21.67).

She also shares the 200m free, 400m free, 800m free, 200m medley and 400m medley relay records with a combination of swimmers, including Alicia Lightbourne, Ashley Butler, Ariel Weech, Alana Dillette, Teisha Lihtbourne, Jenna Chaplin and McKayla Lightbourn.