Video: Sara Daher ’17 has earned 17 All-America awards, all with a smile

An economics major and math minor from Marblehead, Mass., senior swimmer Sarah Daher is a numbers person. Here’s a number she never anticipated: 17.

That’s 17 All-America awards over three years, the most any Bates athlete has ever achieved in any sport. And she’s done it all with a smile.

“One of the things I’ve learned since freshman year is, you swim your best when you’re having fun,” said Daher a few days before the team headed to Shenandoah, Texas, for the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships, which are now underway.

“I try to create a very light and fun environment for the people around me and just have them enjoy the atmosphere and the moment.”

That spirit has elevated the entire team, says head coach Peter Casares.

“The biggest impact she’s made is her effect with all of her teammates. She is fantastic at leading lanes, at doing things right, at inspiring others, and supporting and encouraging others. There’s not a meet that goes by where I don’t just sit there and go, ‘Wow, are we lucky.'”