Olympic Gold Medalist Shannon Vreeland Describes “Humbling Experience” with UGA Swim Team

            Shannon Vreeland, a decorated swimmer with two NCAA championships and an Olympic gold medal under her belt, credits her experience on the University of Georgia swim team as a factor in her success.

Vreeland with head coach Jack Bauerle.

            “It’s always a humbling experience,” Vreeland told a group of UGA journalism students Monday morning, describing how practicing with the best swimmers in the world on a daily basis prepared her for the Olympic Games.

            Several of her teammates joined her at the games in London, including friends Allison Schmidt and Andrew Gemmell. “This team is just fantastic,” Vreeland said, emphasizing the support from the UGA swimmers – Olympians or not.

            Vreeland expressed her respect for head coach Jack Bauerle, whom she said treats every team member the same, regardless of their success.