On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, Samantha Knox committed to Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, for swimming. Knox has been swimming for ten years with the Sterling Stingrays Club. She also swam on the varsity team all four years of high school.
When Knox first started swimming, she was a part of the Sterling Stingrays Swim Club. Then, when she went into high school she swam for the Sterling’s Swim and Dive Team. During her sophomore year, the Stingrays merged with the Freeport club team, and they now swim as the Wahoo Aquatic Club.
Knox explained, “When I first started swimming I was definitely just doing it for fun and not taking it too seriously, but seventh and eighth grade is when I started taking it more seriously and getting pretty good for my age. Since then I have had ups and downs regarding my times, but making it to state my senior year was definitely worth all the hard work and highs and lows.”
When she was first applying to schools, she was stuck between Illinois Wesleyan and Augustana. Initially, she toured Wesleyan and thought she loved it, but over time she realized that she was more just convincing herself that she liked it. But, when she stepped on Augustana’s campus and met the coaches and team, she knew that it was the one.
Knox had many favorite moments but one in particular stands out.
Knox shared, “My favorite memory was making it to state because of how surprised we were. We weren’t really aiming to get first and make it to state but obviously we were going to do anything to go our fastest and seeing everyone’s reaction and just the shock of going to state was really special and exciting.”
Knox would like to attribute her success to her coaches. She has had many coaches over the years and the widespread support and the diversity of coaching techniques have helped her along the way. Knox has always loved the water and will continue that joy for her next four years at Augustana College.
