Bramble Becomes First Hancock Swimmer to Sign with Four-Year University

With one signature, Leanna Bramble became the first Allan Hancock College swimmer in program history to sign a scholarship to a four-year university on Tuesday. The sophomore will swim at Whitworth University, a Division III-level program in Spokane, Washington.

"I feel extremely honored and blessed to be given this opportunity to come to Hancock and swim and transfer to a four-year program like Whitworth," said Bramble. "I could not have accomplished this without my teammates, my coaches and my family."

Bramble was a member of the inaugural Hancock swim program in spring 2014. She capped her historic Hancock career last weekend with two top five finishes during the CCCAA Women's Swimming State Championships. The Orcutt Academy graduate finished fourth in the 100 yard breaststroke, fifth in the 200 yard breaststroke and tenth in the 500 yard freestyle.

Bramble holds 11 school records in various events, as well as Western State Conference records in the 100 and 200 yard breaststroke events. She won two WSC individual titles this season to bring her career total to five conference championships.  

"This is fantastic," said Hancock swimming head coach Mike Ashmore. "Leanna helped the program right out of the gates. She also sets an example for current and future athletes that if you work hard, you can move on to the next level."

After looking at the University of Colorado, Azusa Pacific and California State University, East Bay, Bramble said she fell in love immediately with Whitworth.

"As soon as I set foot on campus and the pool deck, I knew it was a perfect fit. The swim team and coaches were very welcoming and it felt like home," said Bramble.

She will compete for the Pirates, a program that has won four Northwest Conference championships since 2008 under head coach Steve Schadt. The Pirates finished third in conference during the 2014-15 season.  Schadt was roommates with Ashmore when the two swam for Whitworth University.

Bramble plans to major in biology at Whitworth to pursue a career as a physician's assistant.