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By Kenya Godette

Lauren Masters has been swimming for as long as she can remember, and when she earned a spot on ���ϲ�����’s NCAA varsity swim team, it marked the fulfillment of her long-time goal to compete at the collegiate level.

Now as she prepares to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science this Saturday, she will do so as more than just a student-athlete. She will cross the stage with a 4.0 GPA and a clear vision of her future: becoming a pediatric occupational therapist who improves children’s health outcomes through water-based physical therapy.

That dream is already in motion. Masters has been accepted into the EVMS School of Health Professions at ���ϲ�����, where she will begin her doctoral journey in the program this fall — all while continuing to swim for the University.

Two years ago, Masters chose ���ϲ����� because it was a perfect fit for her athletic pursuits.

“I knew I really wanted to swim in college,” she said. “I reached out to the ���ϲ����� coaching staff, and when they invited me for an official visit, I just fell in love. I loved the campus, the location and especially the swim team.”

As she dove into her coursework, Masters quickly began to see the deep connections between her academic studies and love of swimming. For the first time, she understood “the why” behind her movements in the water and the science behind training to become a stronger athlete.

“It’s been interesting to learn about the energy systems that I use when I swim and how I can develop those systems,” she said. “I also really liked my nutrition class, and I learned it was a really key part to swimming, which is something I hadn’t considered too much before.” It’s really changed my perspective on the sport,” she said.

Through her program, she developed an appreciation for biomechanics, training principles and health science — all of which she plans to apply when she opens her own pediatric practice that specializes in water therapy for children, especially those with disabilities.

Masters is especially passionate about water safety, saying children with autism are than the general pediatric population, according to the National Autism Association, and she wants to address this issue throughout her career.

Kyle Davis, M.S., senior lecturer and undergraduate program director for exercise science, describes Masters as “one of those students who helps us define the ideal exercise science student.”

"Being a successful varsity swimmer for ���ϲ�����, Lauren brings her experiences with the sport to the classroom to grow in her knowledge and skills,” he said. “On the other end of the continuum, she will continue her education at the graduate level focused on becoming an occupational therapist here at ���ϲ����� — a career that creates rehabilitative programs and uses therapeutic techniques to help build or restore vocational, homemaking and daily living skills for those in need."

But balancing Division I athletics with academic excellence has had its ups and downs, says Masters, who remembers physics as one of her most challenging subjects. Using resources like a tutor provided through the athletics department and the support of her professors, she ended the semester with a perfect score on her physics final — one of her proudest moments at ���ϲ�����.

Beyond her success in the classroom is her success outside of it, and Masters has accumulated a series of honors throughout her college career. She was a student-athlete ambassador for Insomnia Cookies; part of the relay team that set a record in the 200 medley relay; achieved a National Invitational Championship time cut and placed third at the Sunbelt Championships in 2025; and was on the leadership council for ���ϲ����� swim team. She has also been a private swim instructor, assistant swim coach and lifeguard, all while at ���ϲ�����.

She’s also volunteered with nearly 10 organizations including local elementary schools; the Ivy Rehab for Kids; The Silver Dolphins, a non-profit swim team; and the Tidewater Region Special Olympics Swim team.

Despite her accolades, Masters says what she will remember the most are the relationships she built.

“It’s been the friends that I’ve made here,” she said. “They’re my best friends and I don’t know what I would do without them. If I’m having a bad day, they’ll make me laugh and cheer me up.”

As Masters continues toward her medical degree, she hopes to be remembered for one thing: determination.

“I want people to remember I was prepared,” Masters said. “Especially in my future career field, I want people to see me as determined to help them. I want people to know I wanted to be the best I can be and that I am determined to help others do that, too.”