AAS Client Andrea Ho Talks About her Experiences in her 5 year Collegiate Career
The swimmer from Perth, Australia, was an All-Conference First Team performer in 2020 when the program won its first-ever Atlantic 10 title, and back in February, she scored in a pair of individual events to help the Buff and Blue return to the top of the conference standings. She closes out a terrific career ranked in the program's all-time top five in the 100 back, 200 back and 200 fly.
Here, Ho, who earned a double in International Affairs and Economics and is pursuing a master's in Business Analytics, looks back in the latest edition of Buff & Blue Forever.
Like most kids who grow up in Australia, I’ve been swimming practically my whole life. Mummy and me classes turned into learn-to-swim classes which quickly transitioned into club swimming before I even realized I loved the sport.
Growing up with sisters who also swam made the decision easy, but who knew that those formative moments would turn into an extraordinary journey that would transcend anything I ever imagined.
Closing out a 17-year career, it’s incredible thinking back on a journey that has exceeded even my wildest dreams, capped off with five amazing years of college.
It’s hard to put into words what it has meant to represent the Buff and Blue and how much of a profound impact being at GW has had on me. Being recruited to swim at GW so far from home was daunting, but also the easiest decision I ever made.
I feel like I have lived a thousand lives on the way to growing into this version of myself. Even my nickname changed. Going from high school swimmer "Ange" into college swimmer "Andy" was an opportunity to figure out who I was away from home.
To my teammates, coaches, support staff and friends along the way who have shaped me into who I am today, thank you.
It takes a village, and I am endlessly grateful for mine that spans every corner of the globe. You've truly made these the best five years of my life. Each year, I have grown more into who I want to be, and I owe it all to you.
Making history with this team has been incredible. Winning the first team championship on the women’s side in 2020 was far beyond what I imagined coming into this program in 2017. Taking it further, sweeping the team titles for the first time in program history this year was the icing on the cake to a stellar five-year career.
Hearing our names called after the meet, running through the teammate arch to collect our trophies and jumping into the pool together as a combined program is a memory I will never forget. The chaos of treading water to shout the fight song after reaching the huge team goals we set for ourselves at the beginning of the season is truly a wonderful feeling.
I am proud of all that we've accomplished, and I can’t wait to see what’s next. I know this awesome program will only keep growing from here.
As my career ends, it is not the times or the swims that I’ll remember the most. It’s the people, the support, the hugs after each race and knowing I’ve been a part of something so much bigger than just myself.
I may not have always been the highest scorer, fastest swimmer or loudest voice on the pool deck, but I hope that in my time I have been a constant shoulder to lean on, someone to look up to as others have been for me.
After four undergraduate years and a bonus graduate year to cap it all off, I am endlessly appreciative to GW for the countless opportunities and all the support. I am forever a better person because of all the love, and I promise to continue to Raise High.
Buff and Blue Forever,
Andrea Ho