In a sea of talented student-athletes, freshman swimmer Allison Greeneway has quickly found success on Emory University’s swimming and diving team, setting a program record in the 200-yard individual medley (IM) and then shattering her own personal best a month later.
Earlier this season, Greeneway clocked a time of 2:01.23 on Nov. 8, 2024, breaking a 200-yard individual medley (IM) record at the Emory Fall Invitational that had previously been held for seven years. She followed up with a stellar performance at the Denison Invitational in Ohio on Dec. 5, 2024, finishing with a time of 2:00.79 and smashing the record again. Greeneway broke her record for a third time on Feb. 1 at a University of Georgia dual meet.
Originally from Appleton, Wis., Greeneway attributes her love for swimming to her older sister.
“I’d always ask my mom to wear my swimsuit to watch my sister swim because I wanted to be just like her,” Greeneway said. “I’d be at these swim meets being six years old, wearing a swimsuit and just being completely dry.”
Growing up, Greeneway dabbled in cross country, track and field, gymnastics and soccer, but she said no other sport made her feel the same way swimming did — despite how the sport tested her resolve. After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, several of Greeneway’s teammates stopped swimming, which left her struggling with motivation but gave her a new perspective on the importance of being part of a community.
“I stuck through it, and I feel like once I got through that, it made me realize swimming isn’t everything,” Greeneway said. “It’s so important to create those good relationships with that team and that coach.”
Luckily, Greeneway has been able to foster those crucial relationships at Emory. After visiting campus during her senior year of high school, she immediately gravitated toward the swimming and diving team, wanting to take part in the group’s traditions and camaraderie.
“When you’re doing club swim, which is what I did before college, it’s more individual,” Greeneway said. “You’re swimming for yourself and your times, but here, it’s like you’re swimming for a team.”
Head coach Jon Howell said that Greeneway acclimated quickly to training and continues to improve each week.
“It’s kind of rare that we have freshmen that are that quick to adapt to things,” Howell said. “She’s been able to do it and do it really well.”
Howell also said that while Greeneway is committed to continually getting better, she remembers to have fun throughout the process.
“She’s very serious about what she does, but she’s able to laugh at herself and enjoy it too,” Howell said. “That ability to find that balance between being intense and serious — but also not taking yourself too seriously — is something that’s really important.”
Greeneway’s humble, friendly attitude has also left a positive impression on her teammates. Junior swimmer Penny Celtnieks said that Greeneway is “uplifting during practice” and “an essential part of the team.”
“She’s so funny,” Celtnieks said. “She gets along with every single person ... I’m lucky to be somebody who gets to train with her a lot and gets to know her, but I would say everyone on the team has had an interaction with her and has wonderful things to say.”
Celtnieks also reflected on when Greeneway first broke the 200-yard IM record in November, and again in December. She recalled the excitement of the moment and said Greeneway’s movement looked “effortless.”
In a full circle moment, Greeneway’s sister also attended the Emory Fall Invitational, cheering her on while she broke the 200-yard IM record.
“She was so excited,” Greenway said. “My mom was telling me that she was jumping up and down and screaming. She’s definitely my biggest supporter.”
Beyond support from friends and family, perhaps the secret to Greeneway’s success lies in her pre-race rituals. The freshman swimmer has a turkey sandwich before every meet and listens to music before her dynamic warm-ups. Still, the water is where she feels most at home.
“Just swimming in the water between my events — I feel like it gets me in the zone,” Greeneway said.
Outside the pool, Greeneway is involved with Global Medical Training at Emory and the Emory Undergraduate Journal Club. She hopes to spend more time pursuing research opportunities at Emory and attain a career in medicine as a pediatrician or physician’s assistant.
Fewer than two semesters into college, Greeneway is only at the beginning of her athletic journey. While it is impossible to predict what the next meet or next year holds, Greeneway envisions a bright future.
“I feel like it’s really hard to see where I’ll be at, but I definitely see myself continuing on the team and just creating new memories,” Greeneway said. “As cliche as that sounds, that’s what’s most important to me — creating those memories and being able to look back in 10 years and be like, ‘Wow, that was such a great time. I’m so appreciative and glad that happened.’”
As for the pressure to continue breaking records, Greeneway intends to continue bringing a lighthearted spirit to the team, taking a “no more, no less” approach to the sport.
“I’m just gonna swim and see what happens,” Greeneway said. “I think that mindset works best for me.”
Safa Wahidi (she/her) (23Ox, 26C) is from Sugar Hill, Georgia, and is double-majoring in political science and creative writing. Outside of the Wheel, Safa has worked at Spoon University, Forsyth County News and CNN International. Previously, Safa’s pop culture column “Wahidi’s What’s Happening” won first place nationally at the Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards. In her free time, you can find Safa exploring nearby bookstores and brunch spots.
