In her debut season with Washington State, Emily Lundgren made waves by smashing two school records and earning a third-place finish at the Pac-12 Championships in the 200-yard event. Teaming up with fellow freshman Dori Hathazi, she also became the first freshman in program history to compete in the NCAA Championships. Fast forward to her sophomore year, and the pressure from that stellar freshman year loomed large.
During a winter practice, as she stood on the box overlooking Gibb Pool, Lundgren felt the weight of expectations. Diving in, she was plagued by doubt, wondering how she could possibly outdo her past achievements.
Thankfully, a conversation with teammate Alexandra Vartiainen brought clarity. Vartiainen’s advice to take things one step at a time helped Lundgren relax, leading to a standout practice session.
Two months later, Lundgren's hard work paid off. She secured a second-place finish in the 100-yard breaststroke at the Pac-12 Championships and qualified for the NCAA Championships again. Lundgren reflected on the experience, noting that she swam for herself and her teammates, and the outcome exceeded her expectations.
Now a senior, Lundgren is gearing up for her fourth NCAA Championships, becoming the first Cougar to achieve this feat. Over the years, she’s learned to manage the ever-present pressure, embracing the competitive spirit that has driven her since she joined a swim team at age seven. Inspired by her older sister, Lundgren’s journey began with a collection of toy ducks won at meets, but evolved into a personal drive to excel at the Division I level.
Leaving her hometown of Chula Vista, California, Lundgren ventured to Washington State and quickly made her mark. Qualifying for the NCAA Championships as a freshman, she realized she belonged among the elite, even if she humorously recalls finishing last. By her junior year, she was a regular at the NCAA Championships, achieving a program-best sixth-place finish in the 200 breaststroke.
Lundgren’s leadership extends beyond her accolades. She’s become a mentor, sharing her experiences with younger teammates.
One such teammate, sophomore Darcy Revitt, benefited from Lundgren’s guidance during a challenging freshman year. Together, they developed rituals like Starbucks runs and baking monkey bread to ease pre-competition nerves.
As Lundgren prepares for her final NCAA Championships, she does so alongside Revitt, cementing her legacy as a leader and a trailblazer for Washington State swimming.