Meet the Freshmen: Caitlyn Harrison
11/11/2008 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Nov. 11, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Freshman freestyler Caitlyn Harrison couldn't wait for her first meet as a member of the Crimson Tide after seeing her first Alabama meet, the UA-Kentucky meet during her recruiting season last season.
"The team jogged out to Sweet Home Alabama and everyone in the crowd was cheering," Harrison said. "I knew right away that type of atmosphere would get me pumped up and I was excited to be there."
The atmosphere wasn't the only part of her recruiting trip that sold her on the Crimson Tide.
"I felt like it was a really tight-knit community and I wanted to feel like part of a family," Harrison said.
When Harrison had the chance to run out with her Crimson Tide teammates at the first home of the season against Delta State, it proved to be an unforgettable experience.
"It was exciting to see everyone come and watch us," Harrison said. "The volleyball team was in the bleachers cheering for us, since we've gone and supported them. The best part of the meet was that my mom flew down from Delaware the night before to surprise me."
Since she has joined the team she has really become part of the Crimson Tide family.
"Our class is so much like a family already and we're going to be together for the next four years," Harrison said with a laugh.
Coming from the state of Delaware, Harrison thought it was going to be a culture shock going to school in the south; however, her team has helped her make the transition to life in Alabama.
"Church has always been a large part of my life," Harrison said. "There is a group on the team that goes to church together every week and that has made it easier to adjust to being away from home."
Harrison, who swam for Kate Thomas at Osbourn Park Manassas High School and for Mike Yearwood at Manassas Swim Team, led her team to fifth place finishes at the Virginia High School State Championships in 2007 and 2008.
One of the aspects she enjoys most about Alabama's program is the structure of the Tide practices.
"We are swimming more and everything we do is more specific," Harrison said. "There is a reason for every set we swim and every weight we lift, which makes practices easier knowing what the outcome of your work will bring."
A finance major, she plans on being a consumer analyst after graduation.
"I love math, it's interesting to me," Harrison said. "I want to be put numbers on what people buy and how they function in the marketplace."
One of Harrison's favorite hobbies is cooking. She grew up cooking with her parents and loves to make Italian food with cannolis being her all-time favorite item to make.
