Hew set for summer start at FSU

By Cayman Sports Buzz
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Updated: 29 January 2018

Swimmer Lauren Hew, who holds several national and Cayman Islands Aquatic Sports Association (CIASA) awards is set to join the Florida State University programme in the summer.

Hew signed a letter of intent with the school’s athletics department in November and has now been officially accepted into the 2018 summer semester. She will begin school and training with the Seminoles swim team in June on an athletic scholarship.

In a letter to CIASA confirming the news, the Hew family thanked the association for its role in Lauren’s progression to this point, which included her making her international debut at age 14.

“We would like to express our sincere thanks to CIASA for all of the support received during Lauren’s early developmental years without which, she would not have attained this recent accomplishment,” the letter read.

“The support of the CIASA Technical Director and the opportunity to compete in local and international meets such as club meets, CIASA Nationals, CARIFTA, The Commonwealth Games, Islands Games and the FINA World Championships has prepared Lauren well for the high level of competition she faces in the Florida High School system and for the next 4 years in a NCAA Division I standard.”

When she initially committed to FSU last October, hew said she fell in love with the school because it was the perfect fit for her.

“I really liked being around the team which consists of not only great swimmers but awesome people too and I couldn’t give up an opportunity to be a part of that. I know I will develop a great relationship with each of the coaches and I’m certain that they’ll help me achieve my goals swimming for FSU and for my country. I’m super excited to join the Seminole family!” she said at the time.

After swimming locally with Camana Bay Aquatic Club, she made the move to Florida to get set for her pursuit of a collegiate career. While there, she has been a standout performer in the pool for St Andrews School in Florida, including being named Scholastic All American.

Hew was the Cayman Islands’ lone swimmer at the FINA World Championships in Budapest.

She had a solid 2017 representing the Cayman Islands at overseas championships.

In April, at the CARIFTA Swimming Championships in the Bahamas, Hew topped the podium six times, as she won eight individual medals and three in relays at the 50m pool there. During that meet, she also set a new CARIFTA record in the 100m backstroke (1:05:94) and CIASA and Cayman Islands records in the 200m freestyle (2:05.98). She was also the high points winner for the girls 15-17 age group.

In June Hew won three medals at the NatWest Island Games in Gotland, Sweden – silvers in the 200m and 50m freestyle events; and a bronze in the 200m backstroke.

At the 17^th FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary in July, she finished in the top 50 in both events she competed in – the 100m backstroke and the 200m freestyle.

She has her eyes set on competing at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.