North Carolina State University Athletics
GoPack Feature: Natalie Labonge
6/5/2015 12:00:00 AM | Swimming
With the fast rise of the program, the NC State swimming and diving team is making its name more prevalent in the sports world. Its athletes are helping to promote the program with their accomplishments not just on a national level, but also an international level.
Rising junior Natalie Labongeis representing the Pack quite well on the national level in the water, but also on an international level in the classroom.
The double major in communication and Spanish, Labonge took the opportunity to explore the world and study abroad in Segovia, Spain, this summer.
"I've always wanted to go to Spain, and thought it would be a great place to go to learn more about the language," Labonge said. "Over here I'm studying Spanish technology and culture- so basically I'm learning a lot about the language and grammar, but then learning a lot about the history and architecture and about how technology reflects the culture."
For the Greensboro, N.C., native this marks her first trip to Europe, and she emphasizes that her experience so far has been one to help her grow as a person.
"So far it's been a chance to push myself and be out of my comfort zone. Being in a completely new culture is a great experience and you really learn a lot about yourself and how to communicate with other people," Labonge added.
While representing the Pack on a national level in the water, last summer Labonge earned a spot on the national junior team for one year after finishing fifth in the 50m freestyle at the 2014 Junior National Championships in Irvine, Calif.
She recently reaped the benefits of being a member of the national junior team by traveling to Colorado Springs, Colo., to attend a training camp.
"In April I traveled as a part of the national junior team to Colorado Springs to train at the Olympic Training Center for a few days. I went to several swim practices and a couple of seminars about health and nutrition, exercise and being a part of USA Swimming on a national team level," Labonge said.
Labonge also had the opportunity to meet and talk with worldwide icons in the swimming world.
"We got to meet national team members like Ryan Lochte and Katie Ledecky while I was out there, and got the chance to talk to them about their lives as professional swimmers. It was awesome because I've never had any kind of opportunity to talk to swimmers at that level," Labonge said.
"The trip as a whole was a really great experience, especially because I never thought I would have the opportunity to do it. It's great that I was still young enough to qualify after my freshman year in college."
Labonge's swimming career started when she was five competing for a local summer league. As her passion for the water grew, she joined Greensboro Swimming Association at nine years old where she developed into the collegiate competitor she is today.
When deciding where she would attend college, the environment and camaraderie that head coach Braden Holloway and his staff, as well as the athletes, provided, was what sold Labonge on joining the Pack.
"Before college I wasn't really sure what I was looking for, but when I came to NC State I knew this was the place I wanted to be. The coaches have great energy and are great to be around. Additionally, the team atmosphere is amazing," Labonge said.
"I felt like I was a part of the team when I came here, and I've never met a group of people that work harder than they do. We're like a family."
In her two years at NC State, Labonge has emerged as a leader on the women's team. In turn, she has been named a teamcaptain along with teammates Lydia Jones and Alexia Zevnik.
"I'm excited to be a captain next year and to help keep our team moving in the right direction. We came off a good season and a nice finish at NCAAs, and we want to use that as a springboard into next season," Labonge said.
With several months to go before the start of the 2015-16 season, the women's team is already eager to get back in the water and work toward a few goals that have already been laid out.
"We definitely want to improve on our ACC and NCAA finishes from last year. This next season we are swimming against some pretty tough competition, which I think will help us in preparing for postseason competition," Labonge stated. "Our team does a good job of rising to the occasion, which is a big positive to take into the upcoming season."
Despite being thousands of miles away from NC State, the three-time All-American and two-time ACC champion has kept up her dedication to swimming in order to maintain her competitive edge in the water.
"I have alternated between swimming and dry land while I'm out here so the transition when I get back to training in Raleigh isn't as tough. There is a pool right next to the school where I go for my classes that I try to get to most days," Labonge explained.
"When I get back I'll be back right in the full swing of training and getting ready for nationals, which are in San Antonio, Texas, in August. It's the biggest meet of the year, and a lot of our team has qualified so we're looking forward to taking a big group down there."
With several members of the Pack already qualifying for nationals, as well as many members on the verge of earning qualifying marks for the meet, the representation of the program's talent at a national level continues to grow.
Recently though, the Pack has made large strides in the international realm of competition, as a host of team members have earned the opportunity to represent their home countries at the World Championships as well as the World University Games.
In addition to this international exposure, a large number of Olympic Trial cuts have already been earned among the program for the 2016 Olympic Trials next summer in Omaha, Neb.
"It's always a good opportunity when we get to represent NC State on a national and international level. The exposure of our team brings a lot more attention to our program and helps with recruiting," Labonge said. "Overall it's a really exciting time for us, and having our team represented on so many levels is just amazing.
