HAWAII GROWN REPORT
COURTESY CONNECTICUT COLLEGE
Ali Wilson set two school records at Connecticut College last year after breaking three individual marks and two relay records in 2004.
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Making the connection
Almony and Wilson hook up as teammates again at Connecticut College
Puni Almony and Ali Wilson considered several East Coast schools prior to graduating from Punahou in 2003, but did not plan on being teammates again.
However, Connecticut College appealed to both and they have continued their competitive swimming careers at the higher level with the NCAA Division III Camels.
By the numbers
Seniors Ali Wilson and Puni Almony have set invidual and team records for Connecticut College Camels in their college swimming careers
Ali Wilson
Year |
Event |
Time
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2004 |
500 free |
5:06.25
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2005 |
1,000 free |
10:33.76
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2004 |
1,650 free |
17:36.58
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2004 |
200 fly |
2:13.61
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2005 |
400 IM |
4:50.43 |
Relay
400 free, 3:33.10, Wilson swam first leg, 2004
800 free, 7:52.49, Wilson swam first leg, Almony swam third leg, 2004
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Wilson researched seven East Coast schools and, despite not visiting any of the campuses, narrowed her choices to American University in Washington, D.C., Connecticut College in New London, Conn., and Wheaton College in Norton, Mass.
"I looked at everything on their Web sites and checked all the information at Punahou," Wilson said.
"Connecticut has a program to set up a conversation with a (prospective) student. I talked to a swimmer who told me about the program. My main concern was not being able to handle the transition into college and still do college athletics. She put me at ease. I just felt Connecticut would be the best fit from the information I had."
Almony applied to seven schools and took a quick, weekend trip East to visit Connecticut College, Wheaton and Skidmore in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
"My parents wanted me to make a good decision. The deciding factor was that I got to meet a lot of the team and stayed with a swimmer at Connecticut. She showed me how you could develop yourself as an athlete and as a student," Almony said. "She said you really do create a family atmosphere and that they will always be there for you. I didn't see that at the other schools.
"I fell in love with the program and school, and it was a pretty easy decision after the visit."
COURTESY CONNECTICUT COLLEGE
Puni Almony had competed since age 7 but didn't consider swimming in college until her senior year at Punahou.
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Wilson received feedback from Almony after her visit and that helped Wilson make her decision.
"We ended up applying to a bunch of the same schools, but never intended to come to school together," Wilson said.
There was a transition period, but Wilson was able to adapt although it took most of her first semester. She really began to get into the full swing of college life when swimming practice started.
"I couldn't have asked for a better situation. I got so lucky and love it here," said Wilson, who had never seen snow, but rapidly learned what she needed in her wardrobe and how to layer clothing.
She swims the 200, 500 and 1,650 freestyle events and the 800 relay.
"I swim fly sometimes if the team needs me," said Wilson, who holds five individual school records.
Almony, who began swimming at age 7 with the Kaneohe Swim Association, also competes in freestyle distance races and on relay teams. It wasn't until her senior season at Punahou that she thought about competing in college.
"Swimming was something that I really, really enjoy and it would be beneficial for me to keep going. It was a good part of my life and I wanted to keep doing it as a college student," Almony said.
Almony and Wilson are two of the five seniors on Coach Marc Benvenuti's roster that also includes 12 freshman.
"Both of them contribute on two levels," Benvenuti said. "One is the competitive aspect of things. Both are fantastic racers. They seldom get beat.
"The other side of things is the team aspect. We have built the team around their class and they are a big part of the success."
COURTESY CONNECTICUT COLLEGE
Puni Almony and Ali Wilson are two of five seniors on a young squad.
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The Camels won their own invitational on Dec. 3 with both Hawaii swimmers faring well. That meet ended the fall season and the team regroups to train in Naples, Fla., after the holidays.
"As a team, we are not where we are going to be. We will really get fit in Florida," Benvenuti said. The big meet for us is the conference (New England Small College Athletic Conference) championships at the end of February. If they do well there, they qualify for the D-III championships."
Wilson, who started swimming in California at age 3 or 4 before her family moved here, thinks the bonds of friendship she has made with teammates and coaches will provide the enduring memories.
"The good races are one thing, but the relationships will be the real lasting things," Wilson said.
Almony calls her four years in Connecticut one of the best experiences of her life.
"I've gotten everything I want, both in the pool and on campus. Swimming is an intense sport that helps you develop mental toughness. We have morning practice four times a week at 6:30 and you have to want to do that," Almony said.
"I always set really high goals, which tends to get me in trouble, but you have to aspire to do better things."
Almony is majoring in behavioral neuroscience and will graduate in May. In the future she wants to do clinical research, go to graduate school and have a career in public health or as a physician's assistant.
Wilson, who was a student-teacher this past semester, is majoring in human development. She will graduate in May and plans to stay in the New England area to begin work on a masters in education.