Gators Still Swimming For Sinead
Thursday, March 19, 2015 | Women's Swimming & Diving
By Madi Schultz
GatorZone.com Writing Intern
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The pictures, video recap or anything seen on social media couldn't capture the feeling of the water rushing past the Gators as the Florida women's swimming and diving team defeated Auburn nearly two short months ago.
Only the text messages between teammates could truly convey the euphoria of winning that late-January dual meet.
But the Florida Gators swam, they won, and they did it for Sinead.
“We knew she wanted to be there,” said UF swimmer Jess Thielmann. “We just felt like we had to give it back to her and keep her involved, even with the health she was in.”
Sinead Russell, UF's 14-time All-American and 2012 Canadian Olympian, was diagnosed with a blood clot in her brain in mid-January. A development that not only halted her junior season, but sent a shock wave through the Gators with ripples that reached throughout the international swimming community.
The impact it had on Florida's team was profound. Suddenly, they were swimming for something bigger than themselves.
And so for that Jan. 24th meet at Auburn, the Gators sported “S4S” on their wrists -- as in “Swim for Sinead” -- and performed well enough in some of the very same relays Russell would competed in to rally for a four-point victory.
Immediately, the texts and pics began pouring into Russell's cell phone back in Gainesville.
“I actually teared up when I saw them,” she said. “I didn't realize I had such a presence on the team.”
She does now.
Should any images that remotely resemble those of nearly two months ago show up on Russell's phone this weekend, there could be more tears. It'll mean the Gators are faring well at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, which start Thursday at the Greensboro (N.C.) Aquatic Center.
Two years ago, Russell was a member of the national championship 400-yard freestyle relay team that set a school record. At the 2014 NCAA Championships, the Gators set program-record marks in the 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle and medley relays, all with Russell in the mix.
If she was healthy, Russell would not only be taking part in those relays, she'd likely be in contention for a top-eight finish in both the 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke events, thus more All-American honors.
It wasn't to be.
“It's hard being taken away from swimming,” said Russell, who has learned from her teammates (and vice versa) in the difficult weeks since. “They talk to me all the time and ask me how I'm doing. It's a good feeling knowing you're a part of that.”
But it's not the same.
“She's really disappointed,” UF head coach Gregg Troy said. “She's realizes when you lose something that's really important to you, like swimming is to her, it's had an impact on her from a standpoint of trying to stay engaged. She's been coming to practice. We're kind of using her to help out other people a little bit. She's done a tremendous job with that.”
Mostly that's meant being around the pool during practice and providing guidance where she can. Both of Russell's parents are swim coaches, so that part of it is in her blood.
It still doesn't make up for the competition, yet the outpouring of support -- both from within the program and far, far beyond -- overwhelmed Russell. Upon word of her health issues, the cards and well-wishes directed at the Burlington, Ontario, native came from everywhere.
Like the one from the University of Southern California, with its team standing around a whiteboard sign that read, “We hope you get well soon.” Or the one that came from a rival Southeastern Conference school that said simply, “There's a point where your school colors don't matter.”
Fight on @neanea_russell! Our thoughts and prayers with you, your family and @GatorZoneSwimDv pic.twitter.com/6yFGCvLhui
— USC Swim&Dive (@USCswim) January 17, 2015
“It was amazing,” she said.
Ultimately, Russell's goal is to be back in the water. But that depends on how her body responds to rehab from the clot and the subsequent training. It's not something Russell is thinking too much about right now. She has more important issues in her life.
“Sinead's a real quiet person who keeps a lot of that stuff to herself,” junior Natalie Hinds said. “We'd love to have her back. She's been such a big part of our team since her freshman year. Now, everyone has to take more ownership in their swimming, because we're missing someone who had such a great impact.”
Russell, though, is still making a great impact. Only from afar.
“She knows she's part of the success, no matter what we do,” added Thielmann.
In the interim, Russell will sit and wait patiently, hoping for the influx of text messages and photos. The Gators will continue to “S4S.”
