Audrey Sambrook is always smiling. The Florida Gulf Coast University Swim and Dive freshman has a contagious, infectious positivity around her. Only a couple of months into her college swimming career, Audrey has already impressed her coaches.
"She’s always smiling," FGCU Swim and Dive Head Coach Dave Rollins said. “Audrey doesn’t like to give up. So no matter what we’re doing, no matter what the set is, she is always going to give her best effort 100% of the time.”
Her positivity and hard work has earned Audrey the title of team captain as just a freshman — a responsibility the New England-native relishes in.
“I love to be a leader," Sambrook said. "I really try to be positive all the time.”
Many athletes say they were born for their sport. Audrey means it. She was destined to be a swimmer ever since she was born.
“It feels like home," Sambrook said. "I can get in the water and not worry about anything.”
Audrey's aunt was a high school swimmer. She tragically died from drowning at high school swim practice when she was just 15 years old.
“It’s really sad that she passed, especially at such a young age, doing what she loved and what I love,” Sambrook said.
So, to honor his late sister who was named Audrey Grace Sambrook, Audrey's father named his daughter Audrey Grace Sambrook.
“The name has always been very special to him," Audrey's mother Heather said. "So, once he said it was special to him, we wanted to continue that legacy, having no idea she would follow in the footsteps.”
However, that is exactly what has happened. Audrey's parents put her in swim lessons when she was just 3 to make sure their daughter was safe in the water. With a tragic memory in the back of their minds, they watched their daughter flourish in the pool. Ever since those lessons, Audrey knew what her goal in life is — carry on her aunt's name and legacy.
“Obviously I’m not the exact same person as she was, but my dad says I’m pretty similar to her," Audrey said.
The FGCU freshman has turned tragedy into triumph by carrying on the Audrey Grace Sambrook name.
“I’m going to get emotional — very proud of her, very proud of her," Audrey's mother said.
Sambrook and the FGCU Swim and Dive team compete in the Eagle Invitational at the FGCU Aquatics Complex on Oct. 18 and 19.