Seahawk Spotlight: Amanda (Cameron) Sipes
Name: Amanda (Cameron) Sipes
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2009
Events: 200 free and 500 free
Degree: Exercise Science and Health
Profession: Recruiter for CastleBranch
Current residence: Wilmington, North Carolina
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
Maybe not favorite but, every year Christmas Training is during my birthday and even though it was not the best way to celebrate my birthday I still got to celebrate it with 50 of my closest friends :).
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
Being part of the swimming and diving team has impacted my life by helping me realize that you can do anything. If you can swim for two to three hours a day twice a day- you can pretty much do anything you put your mind to and it is never as bad as a practice.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
When I graduated in 2009 I moved to Wrightsville Beach and met my husband. We got married in 2013 and have two daughters; Olivia who is three and Ruby who is one. We try to go to the beach as much as possible and enjoy everything that Wilmington has to offer!
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Wrightsville Beach, beach bars, PT’s
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Every time I hear Sweet Caroline I can’t help to smile and think of Coach Allen dancing on the pool deck.
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Swimming is hard. Being a collegiate athlete is hard. Make sure you celebrate the success you had over the years and use it to your advantage. Being part of the program has taught me so much and provided me resources that I never knew I had.
Seahawk Spotlight: Michael Krayer
Name: Michael Krayer
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2006
Events: 50, 100, 200 free
Degree: Chemistry & Marine Biology
Profession: Scientist
Current residence: Charlotte, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
In the pool my favorite memory was the CAA record setting 400 freestyle relay. It was the last event of the meet and we found out just before the race that we already won the CAA Championship team title (the 2nd in our 13 year dynasty). Everyone was ecstatic, but we still wanted to kick JMU’s butt. I led off with a freshmen record in the 100 free (which ended up being my PB all four years) and UNCW legends Tiago Barreira, Adam Brenneman and Dave Sokolofsky finished off JMU and the rest of the field in record setting fashion.
Outside of the pool my favorite memory was playing “Balcony Ball” for hours on end. The goal of Balcony Ball was to shoot a Basketball and balance it on the railing of the 2nd floor balcony in the Peach Palace (44 Hillsdale ). This was pretty much an impossible shot, so if anyone made it we all (whoever was hanging out at the Peach Palace at the time) had to stop what we were doing (studying, watching SouthPark, napping, playing Tony Hawk,…) and go out.
Kevin Norman playing Balcony Ball
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
I always say that being a student athlete was the hardest thing (mentally and physically) I have done in my life. Keeping up with classes while being physically exhausted from hours in the pool and weight room and then having to perform on a high level in exams and during swim meets in front of hundreds of cheering people gave me the confidence to take on most of life’s challenges. There were definitely lessons learned along the way! One particular comes to mind on how to not handle a stressful situation, which involved my fist and a brick wall during a dual-meet against NCSU, but I will not go into further details here.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
After graduating from UNCW in 2006 I went to NCSU to get a PhD in Chemistry and then started working for a global Chemical Company (BASF) in 2011. Along the way I met my wonderful wife during a Masters swim meet and we moved to Charlotte, NC in 2013. I continue Masters swimming on a semi-regular basis and love to come back to Wilmington especially for the Pier-2-Pier Races (in memory of Grey Liston and Ryan Young).
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
During the semester there really wasn’t much time outside of the pool, weight room, Wagoner hall (Dining Hall) or Dobo Hall (Science building). Out of those I would like to say the weight room was my favorite . During off season I tried to spend as much time on the beach as possible.
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Of course the best slogan ever is: “It’s a great day to be a Seahawk!”
But my favorite pump up cheer was Billy breaking us down (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROIcMtvtVeY)
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Enjoy the ride and regret nothing!
Seahawk Spotlight: Adrienne Sutton
Name: Adrienne Sutton
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2000
Events: 100 & 200 breaststroke, 200 & 400 IM
Degree: B.S. in biology with chemistry minor, then PhD from University of Maryland
Profession: Oceanography
Current residence: beautiful Seattle, Washington
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
Saturday ocean swims. Saturday ocean swims. Saturday ocean swims! I mean, I’m an oceanographer! It’s two of my favorite things in one!
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
First, life-long friendships. Four women in my class in particular (you know who are!) make up a group of friends who have been foundational in the adventure of my adult life. Second, confidence. Working as a team, spending time as a captain, and being a part of winning two CAA Championships made me feel like I could go out into the world and make a difference.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
I’ve moved west and discovered a way of life I feel most at home in. Surrounded by water and mountains and marine mammals and birds of prey and towering trees and all the things that bring me awe and joy! I landed my dream job leading a set of climate records from ocean observatories, studying the exchange of carbon dioxide between the ocean and atmosphere, and developing new ocean observing technology for NOAA. I’m also affiliate faculty at the University of Washington and enjoy mentoring the next generation of ocean scientists. When I’m not working, I’m playing outside, tending my little urban farm, and partnering in a cooperative business building a new model elevating arts, culture, and history in diverse South Seattle.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Wrightsville Beach. Detecting a theme here?
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
My most dominant memory is hearing coaches Allen and Whorley plus a few teammates whistle every time I came up for air in breaststroke. It could get really loud at key meets and gave me a huge adrenaline rush! Such a great example of how your team helps you be the best you.
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Take risks. Follow your heart. Do things differently. See the world. Respect Earth.
Help build UNCW Springboard Diving Dryland Center
UNCW diving is currently looking to secure funding for its first ever springboard diving dryland center in Wilmington NC. UNCW Diving is a 42-year-old program that has created multiple CAA Conference Champions, NCAA Zone Qualifiers, and an NCAA all-American. For the program to reach the next competitive level the dryland center will allow us to gain more repetitions in a safe and secure environment that will minimize injury while maximizing the potential of our student athletes. Along with the college the center will benefit the local diving club team which has produced national level USA Diving and Amateur Athletic qualifiers, NC state high school regional and state champions. Your donation will help the young student athletes reach their competitive dreams, while learning that hard work, success and achievement can benefit them outside of sport.
This dryland center is built in memory of a former Seahawk Diver, Giovanni Villanueva. G was taken from us too soon. He died from epilepsy, 1 year after taking home gold and bronze for UNCW at the conference championship.
Thank you for your support and donation. Go Fund Me Link
Seahawk Spotlight: Tim Mann
Name: Tim Mann
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2011
Events: 100 Br., 200 Br., 400 IM
Degree: BS-Accounting
Profession: Financial Advisor at Truist Wealth
Current residence: Charlotte, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program? Bus rides to away meets or Saturday morning practices at the beach
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life? The easy answer is that it has given me some of the best friends I could ever ask for. Along with that, it has given me structure. Like balancing school work with swimming, balancing work, home life, dad life, friendships, and athletic goals can be difficult at times. Swimming has consciously and unconsciously created a structured lifestyle that has allowed me to balance all of it.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck? I got my MBA from the University of Mississippi in 2012 and moved to Charlotte shortly thereafter, where I met my wife, Lauren. We got married in Wilmington in 2016 and had our first child, Tripp in October of 2018. We will welcome our second son, Miles in early June. When I’m not in the office, I’m fairly active in the local running scene, serving on the Board of Directors for Charlotte Running Club and the Finance Committee for a local non-profit, Let Me Run. I’ve run the New York City Marathon, the Charlotte Marathon, the Chicago Marathon, and have my sights set on qualifying for the Boston Marathon.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW? Blue Water Grille, Flaming Amy’s, Jerry Allen’s……..and Red Dogs
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer? Breakdown
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni? Be patient. Odds are, sometime after college, you’ll have a hard time finding your way both personally and professionally. No matter what others project, most 20-somethings will go through something similar. It is all very normal. Trust your gut, don’t be afraid to take risks, and always bet on yourself.
Seahawk Spotlight: Carly Tanner
Name: Carly Tanner
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2013
Events: 100 Breaststroke, 50 Free, 100 Free
Degree: B.A. in Communication Studies with Journalism minor
Profession: Videographer / Entrepreneur
Current residence: Durham, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
I have so many great memories from my time in the program! For one, the pool used to have these acrylic covers on the stands’ front row handrails, and during dual meets, the alumni would bang on those things while they were cheering for us and it would get SO loud and really turn the energy up. It was so fun to hear that before taking off in a relay or after someone winning an event. They aren’t there anymore but when I think of dual meet fun, I think of that!
At conference, it was really special to win all three of my events in my senior year, especially knowing that my times would make the NCAA cut. It was wild to represent UNCW on a national scale and something I never expected to do when I came in as a freshman.
Relay wins were such a highlight too! At my junior year conference, I was on the 4Free Relay with three seniors, and we didn’t expect to win the race at all – but somehow we pulled it out from lane 2 or something ridiculous like that. It was also really special to share that with one of my closest friends from the program, Anna Munger.
I also met my now-husband on the team, so that’s a highlight too, haha!
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
I learned a lot about myself during my time in the program. I learned what it means to hold yourself accountable, to push yourself past your limits, to make unpopular but necessary decisions as a captain, and to never give up on yourself, even when other people did. I met some of my closest and best friends on the team – people who stood beside me as I got married and that I know will stand beside me through life.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
I got my masters in Communication and Digital Media from NC State and started my own videography business. I mainly create promotional content for small businesses and freelance occasionally for UNC sports.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Einstein’s after morning practice, the video edit suite in Leutze, Tower 7, PCJ, and the north end of the beach for sunrises and south end for sunsets!
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
FTB
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
I once listened to a podcast with actor Edward Norton where he talked about how life rewards people who take really big swings at it. So my advice to current swimmers and divers would be to take big swings. Go for it with your full chest. Send it. Don’t leave anything behind. Don’t worry about the results – just push yourself and enjoy every second. You never know what can happen.
And for recent alumni – take some time to rest after taking those big swings. You just finished a massive career that has defined most of your life. Take some time to explore yourself and be open to new opportunities and experiences. You got this. And always – Hawk Pride!
Update from Asst Coach John Carroll
Seahawk Spotlight: Brendan Curl
Name: Brendan Curl
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 1999
Events: 100/200 breaststroke
Degree: Double major in Marine Biology and Psychology
Profession: Up until last year, professional animal trainer and spokesperson for SeaWorld Orlando
Current residence: Clermont, Florida
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
I always enjoyed the parties after the meets on Saturdays, games of Anchorman, listening to Dave Matthews and Smashing Pumpkins watching Matt Allen and Mike Ratigan play Zoom Zorch (I actually never played, not even once!) and of course the infamous 200 IM’s on the carpet! Finding the pedal for my BMX bike after missing it for months my freshman year, only a few people from my class may remember that LOL! I enjoyed traveling and competing at different universities and all the camaraderie and support from team members. I especially remember the first time I broke the school record for the 100 breaststroke at the ECAC Championships my sophomore year. The timing board was at the opposite end of the pool deck from the finish and my eyesight sucked so I had no idea what my time was until Mark Ellington congratulated me and then as I walked to the other side of the pool so I could see what my time was every single person on the team congratulated me as well and that meant a lot 🙂
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
I wanted to swim in college to find out what my potential was. I was a walk-on and my first couple years I couldn’t even make most of the intervals in practice so I just kept swimming and did whatever the other people in my lane were doing since they left before I got back to the wall and I had no idea what the set was. I learned how to work hard and completely devote myself in the aspiration of achieving my goals. I also learned the value of a support network, family and friends. In everything I do, I do my best to help and support others because you never know just how much that support may mean to someone.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
Professionally, over the last 20 years, I was an animal trainer and spokesperson at SeaWorld Orlando until being laid off due to the pandemic last year. I did water work with killer whales, dolphins, walrus and sea lions. Over the years I’ve educated and entertained millions of guests and helped foster a connection with the environment and encourage people to become good stewards of the world we all live in. Personally, I am married to my wonderful wife Billie-Jean, we don’t have any children but we do have three dogs, a bird, and some fish (LOL). I got pretty serious in the world of triathlons for a while and competed as a member of Team USA at the age group World Championships on six occasions. My wife and I love to travel as much as possible and experience and learn about other cultures and people. We have made it to every continent except Antarctica, and some of our favorite trips have included swimming in the Amazon river, hiking to Machu Picchu, climbing glaciers in southern Patagonia, overnighting in the crater of Mount Kilimanjaro, camping on the Serengeti during the Great Migration, swimming with great white sharks in South Africa, playing with Kangaroos and wallabies in Australia and most recently hiking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. The no travel thing during the pandemic really sucks – LOL!
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
The Sandbar: on a college budget you can’t beat $5 all you can drink! At least back then…
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
I’m with Jessiy Bader on this one, “the home of the Seahawks!” Sing it!
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Enjoy your time at UNCW and accomplish all you can! Live life to the fullest but start your 401k early! Always remember your teammates and family and their support. Remember to support others, your actions mean something! The world is going to throw curveballs at you and put mountains in your way, dodge and climb past any obstacle you encounter, you can surpass all your expectations with continued hard work and support from your loved ones! Don’t be afraid to chase down your dreams and discover your true potential!
Seahawk Spotlight: David Thayer
Name: David Thayer
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2012
Events: 100 back, 200 back, 200IM, 200 free
Degree: BA in English, minor in German
Profession: Airline Pilot
Current residence: Charlotte, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
This is tough! I loved my time as part of UNCW Swimming and Diving and have so many awesome memories. If I had to pick a favorite memory, I’d say that it was being a part of the conference championship team in 2010. Walking onto that pool deck with the team and seeing all of the other teams watching us knowing that we were the ones to beat (and them never succeeding) is a memory that I’ll carry with me forever.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
It’s impossible to overstate just how much my experience as part of the Swimming and Diving program has influenced my life. I’ve used my experiences as a collegiate swimmer in interviews, daily life, emergencies at my job, and now as a parent. The comradery that I felt and the challenges that we faced both on our own and together have helped me to get to where I am today.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
Shortly after my time at UNCW, I worked in an office but decided that I didn’t really love what I did, so I went to school to become an airline pilot. Fast forward 7 years and I’m now a Captain of a regional airline based in Charlotte. When I’m not traveling for work, I spend my time at home with my wife and 3 kids!
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Oh man. Haha. Definitely any of the beach bars, Wag, Hawk’s Nest, the Suites, downtown, the beach. There’s too many to name.
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
I enjoyed all of the cheers from UNCW, but my favorite slogans were plastered onto the t-shirts that we made each year to commemorate our victories. I’m sure those from the classes close to mine know what I’m talking about!
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
I know how cliché this sounds, but try to enjoy every moment. The college experience (and especially being part of the swimming and diving teams) goes by so fast. Also, don’t burn any bridges. You never know who might be your boss or who you’ll work with in the future.
Seahawk Spotlight: Jessiy Bader Bartley
Q&A:
Name: Jessiy Bader
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 1999
Events: 1 meter and 3 meter Diving
Degree: Chemistry
Profession: Pilot
Current residence: Frisco, Colorado
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
My most favorite memory was conference championships. During the diving finals usually it’s just the divers and our parents watching. The swimmers are usually taking that opportunity to rest, cool down, eat. But not UNCW. The entire swim team shows up in the stands. And after I do my first dive they erupt in applause, that I can hear underwater! I surface and they all have pieces of paper with a score of 10 on it. I was smiling ear to ear. I have never been a part of something so big. I felt like a movie star. I was so honored and I am convinced it help me dive better.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
Being a part of this team has shown me that working hard, giving everything that you have for something bigger than yourself is so incredibly rewarding. And those days that you don’t want to get out of bed at 5 am, or you have to stay up late to finish your paper for English because you are traveling, when you want to throw up you have done too many sit ups, that there is always someone there to give you that extra push and believe in you , even when you might not believe in yourself.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
I have had the wonderful opportunity to do something I love for work. Flying airplanes for United is the best. I’ve gotten to see the world, meet incredible people, but best of all flying really big airplanes. Amazing. Since COVID has thrown everyone for a loop, my husband and I have taken a year off and are sailing down the east coast. It was amazing to sail under the Wrightsville Beach bridge in our own boat.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Well that is easy. Beach, beach and more beach. Middle of the island for hush puppies. PT’s for burgers. I could go on and on if I start to go down the food thing.
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
I love when we have home meets and during the national anthem we sing the home of the Seahawks. It gets me so jazzed. There are plenty of naughty ones about ECU, but those are definitely not G rated.
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Soak up every minute. Life after school works itself out, no need to worry about it. Work hard, support your team, they will be friends for life.