Meet the Freshmen: Cameron Bass
10/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Oct. 28, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Just two meets into her Alabama career and freshman Cameron Bass is already swimming career-best times. The Briarwood Christian graduate dropped 11 seconds in the 1000 freestyle at her first meet for the Crimson Tide against Delta State.
"I was so excited and definitely had not planned on dropping so much time," Bass said. "The atmosphere at the meet was great with my family and friends from high school present and everyone cheering. I felt like I had something to prove since it was my first college meet."
The 1000 freestyle happens to be one of Bass' favorite events to swim.
"The 1000 freestyle because it is shorter than the mile, but it is long enough to make up for any mistakes that you might make," Bass said.
Bass swam for Liz Whatley at Briarwood Christian High School and for Rick Moulton at Hoover Blue Thunder Aquatic Club. She was the Briarwood Christian team captain in 2007 and won the Angel Martino Leadership award. In 2006 and 2007 Bass was the runner-up in the 500 freestyle at the Alabama High School State Championships.
Bass is attending Alabama on a trio of academic scholarships, the Presidential Scholarship, Alumni Heritage Scholarship and the Alumni Scholarship. The University of Alabama's tradition runs in the family. Both her parents, Greg and Kelly, went to Alabama, as did her grandfather Charles Allen, who played football under Paul "Bear" Bryant from 1959 to 1962.
Bass said that college swimming is 100 percent different than her high school and club experience.
"Practices are a lot harder," Bass said. "Everyone is more focused and competitive than my teammates in high school. After every practice I feel a sense of accomplishment and I really like that."
Bass is studying pre-med, but thinks she will eventually end up as a biology major. After college she plans on going to medical school to become a doctor.
"I don't know what type of doctor I want to be, but I know that I would love to be a doctor," Bass said. "It's such a great occupation and there are so many intangible things you get from helping people."
Despite a hectic schedule, Bass manages to find time to get lost in a good book, like her favorite series Harry Potter and her current read, a book from the international best-selling author Ken Follett.
Players Mentioned
