Rylie Fox, Women's Swimming

Tell us about how you first got involved with your sport. When did you first get interested and began participating? What is it about the sport that you enjoy so much?

I first got involved with competitive swimming when I was seven when my parents put me in a summer league. I went from learning how to swim the strokes to actually being pretty good at them. I really got interested around age 10 when I got better and made friends on my team. Cheering my teammates on and having fun at meets is a huge part of why I love swim, but it’s also the peace that it brings. Something about the connection I have with the water is special to me.

What got you here to Orange Coast College? Tell us about your journey to OCC.

Exploring my options as a senior in high school led me to discover everything that OCC has to offer. I was never really sure where I wanted to go to college until I considered OCC as one of my options, all the pieces suddenly fit together for me. Being recruited by the amazing coaching staff was an important step for me as well.

If I asked your coach or teammates about what type of person you are on your team, what do you think they would say?

I think that my coaches and teammates would say that I am a positive and driven person. “Smiley Rylie” is my nickname. I come to practice ready to work and like to help create a strong and positive environment for the team.

For those not familiar with competitive swimming, most races come down to less than the length of a body, if not closer! Without sharing ALL of the secrets, what are some of the ways swimmers can get that extra edge in the water to pull out a close win like that?

You have to really want it! Drive, purpose, focus, and mental dedication are just as important as physical aspects. Having the right mindset and attitude can give you that extra push to out touch someone. 

When you're not involved with your sport, what do you enjoy doing for fun? Any hobbies or interests and that keep you busy in your spare time?

I love to go fishing whenever I can. I just recently picked up this hobby about two years ago and have been obsessed since. It brings me joy similar to the way swimming does with peacefulness and concentration.

Take us through the amount of training and time in the water that you have to spend in order to compete at this level. Whether its weights, or cardio, or in the water, take me through a week in the life of a swimmer.

Weights, cardio, abdominal workouts, in the water, all of the above! Competing at this level requires a rather heavy amount of training and dedication. We spend a little over two hours in the pool every afternoon with a cardio/ab workout right before. Twice a week, we lift weights and swim for two hours in the morning before the afternoon practice. Our total scheduled practice hours are about 16.5 a week. Working hard every minute!

Favorite sports team? Any sport you want ... who's your favorite team and why?

I have always been a ride or die Patriots (NFL) fan since I was a little girl because I thought Tom Brady was cute. It was more entertaining being their fan when they won Super Bowls, but regardless, I’ll always stick beside the Patriots.

Once your sports career is over, what do you want to do with your life, career-wise?

Once I am finished with my sports career, I plan to become a high school teacher. Teaching has always been something I have been drawn to and I am most interested in the high school curriculum.

What's on your "Bucket List"??? Somewhere amazing to visit?? A Sports event to experience?? Whatcha got??

It would be amazing to experience competitive swimming at the Olympics, but I would also really like to visit Costa Rica!