With Extra Motivation, Bramble Prepares for State Championships to Honor Late Mother

Leanna Bramble has made waves all season for the inaugural women's swim team at Allan Hancock College. The freshman won three individual events, broke a conference record and earned Co-Swimmer of the Meet honors at the Western State Conference Championships a few weeks ago. She qualified in three events for this week's California Community College Athletic Association's State Championships. What she is preparing to do next may be the most impressive feat of them all.

Bramble will enter the pool with a purpose, honoring her late mother, who lost her battle with cancer a few hours after Bramble won her third event at the conference meet.

"I rushed to the hospital and was at my mother's side for a few hours until she passed away," said Bramble, who is the middle of five children in her family. "My mother is in a better place."

The Orcutt Academy graduate admitted it was difficult to focus and swim since her mother's death. Still, Bramble has found the strength to practice each day in the Hancock pool. "I am doing everything in my mother's honor. I know she wanted me to compete at conference. I know she wants me to keep battling now, just like she did."

Her courage and determination have impressed her long-time coach and current Hancock coach Mike Ashmore. "We have spent years teaching her to perform under pressure with mixed results. For her to be a leader and elite performer during her biggest meet under the circumstances is a major tribute to her. It proves she is capable of greatness at state and beyond," said Ashmore.

Bramble qualified for the State Championships in the 100-yard individual medley, 200-yard individual medley, and in her specialty event, the 100-yard breaststroke. She smashed the conference record by nearly three seconds in the breaststroke with a time of 1:06.41. Bramble's time ranks fifth among the 16 women who qualified for the state meet. She also ranks fifth in the 100 IM with a time of 1:01.42 and seventh in the 200 IM (2:13.59).

"I am nervous, but excited to go up against a higher level of competition," she added. "My goals are to drop my times in each event and a top three finish would be awesome."

The three-day State Championships will start Thursday, May 1, at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park. Bramble will swim in one event each day.

"I just want to continue making my mother proud."