Priscilla Min ’22: Free to Swim
Words: Abby Dorman ’17
Photos: Josh and Alexa Adams
As Priscilla Min ’22 searched for a college, she was excited to find an alignment of her athletic, spiritual, and academic priorities at Wheaton. Wheaton Swimming is thankful that she found them, too. As a sophomore, Min topped the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) field in the 400-yard individual medley (IM). The following year, she qualified for nationals and was named a Division III All-American. As a senior, she placed second in the CCIW in the 200-yard breaststroke. Min achieved all this despite a career hampered by COVID-19 and injuries that led to altered training plans and canceled meets.
Through it all, Min was unflappable. Coach Meghan Ayers credits Min’s character and leadership, saying, “She silently leads by example, always trying her hardest at practice.”
Min was also diligent in her studies as an education major. As a student teacher in the fall of 2021, she fit early morning training around grading papers and doing her own homework.
Reflecting on her four years at Wheaton, Min is thankful for the life skills she’s picked up along the way. “I think swimming, in general, has basically formed me into a functioning human being,” she said. “It forces me to be disciplined and to understand other people and their viewpoints.”
Above all, Min is most proud of the way she’s embraced Wheaton Swimming’s mantra, “Free to Swim.” Reflecting on how she’s come to adopt the idea that her worth doesn’t lie in swimming, she said, “I honestly think my spiritual growth helped me a lot with that.”
When her time in the pool is done, determination and dedication will continue to define the way she goes about faith, work, and life.
Athletic Throwback: Julie Davis ’91
Julie Davis ’91 has served as the Athletics Director since 2011, faithfully carrying out the mission to foster the development of Christian faith, character, and leadership through competitive sports programs that run the race to win. Under her leadership, Wheaton athletics has seen 46 CCIW championships, six top-50 Division III Learfield Directors’ Cup finishes, 110 student athletes named All-American, and 48 student athletes named CoSIDA Academic All-Americans. During her undergraduate years, Davis played on the women’s basketball team and was coached by Beth McKinney Baker ’77, whose mentorship both on and off the court proved to be highly influential. After starting her career as a high school teacher and coach, Davis returned to her alma mater in 2003 to join the athletics department as the Internal Operations Coordinator and Senior Women’s Administrator. She is now joining Wheaton’s Division of Advancement, Vocation, and Alumni Engagement as the Regional Director for the Chicago area.
