AUBURN, Ala. – The 2021-22 season is underway for Auburn swim and dive, and there are some new faces in the pool competing for the Tigers. Throughout the year, we will be introducing each of the newcomers with a Q&A.
Next up in the series is Avery Bargeron, a true freshman from Atlanta who won the 100 butterfly at Florida State in her first college meet. Bargeron achieved NCAA B-cuts in both the 100 and 200 butterfly at the Georgia Tech Fall Invitational.
Q: What made you want to swim at Auburn?
Bargeron: I would say the biggest thing was the people. The people and the team are amazing, and I could tell that from the first moment I met them. Also, I just wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself. There are some teams where you can tell the swimmers distance themselves from the team to focus on their own individual swimming, but here at Auburn it is all about family and it is really special.
Q: What are you studying at Auburn? What made you choose to pursue that major?
Bargeron: At the moment, I am studying marketing, but since I am a freshman it could definitely change. I do want to find a way to work for a sports team someday, which is something I think would be really cool.
Q: You touched on it but what career path are you aiming for?
Bargeron: This is a hard question since I am just a freshman, but at the moment, I would maybe like to work in public relations for a major sports team. That would be really fun. I could also see myself doing something in advertising, too.
Q: What is your go-to music before a meet?
Bargeron: I definitely like to listen to songs that get me going before a meet, like rap and maybe some pop music. I don't usually listen to one specific artist, just anything that gets me fired up.
Q: If you had to try out for another sport at Auburn, what would it be?
Bargeron: Realistically, it would be cross country or track because in a way it is similar to swimming. I also want to say soccer because I just think it is so cool and the soccer team here looks like a really fun team to be on.
Q: How has the S&D program helped you get adjusted to living in a new place?
Bargeron: I have only been here for about two-and-a-half weeks, but I already feel like I know my team so well because they have really embraced all the freshmen and have taken us under their wing. You just never feel like you are alone. The program basically puts you around people that will help you with whatever you need.
Q: How do you plan to make an immediate impact on the program this year?
Bargeron: I would really love to swim in SECs this year and it is definitely a goal of mine to one day make NCAAs, but I would say day by day I just want to learn a lot and improve one small thing a day to get better in the long run. I have a lot to learn from the people here, and I am really excited to get better this season.
Q: What is your goal for your freshman year at Auburn?
Bargeron: The biggest thing is just learning and working on improving, but I would really love to swim at SECs since it would be such a great opportunity.
Q: Who is your 'hero' in sports?
Bargeron: I would say Olivia Smoliga. She was a swimmer at Georgia, and since I am from Atlanta, I have seen her at some meets before and she always seems to have the best outlook on things no matter what happens in a race. That is what I would like to be like because I know how easy it is to get down on yourself after a bad race. I really admire her positivity.
Q: What do you want to tell the Auburn Family as the spring season approaches?
Bargeron: We have a brand new coaching staff at Auburn this year and a really strong freshman class. Also, everyone is working so hard to make this a good season. So I would tell the Auburn Family to look out because the S&D program is on the come up this year.