The path to become a NCAA Division-I athlete is a long one, and each athlete’s story is different. The Banner interviewed Robby Moseley, senior computer science major and member of the California Baptist University men’s swim and dive team, to ask about his athletic journey and what brought him to CBU.
How did you first get involved in swim?
“My older sister started swimming before I did. And I, being the competitive younger brother that I am, decided that I also wanted to start swimming. I think I was 5 and my sister was 6. I haven’t stopped since then.”
Why did you pick swim over other sports? Were you interested in other sports?
“You can actually find videos of me skateboarding on the internet (if you know where to look), so I definitely wouldn’t say that swimming was always my first choice. In fact, in the beginning I think that it was something that I was mostly encouraged to do by my parents, thank the Lord for them and their wisdom.
“When I was very young, I was more interested in playing video games and hanging out at the skatepark than being at the pool, especially during the cold winter months.
“Over time, however, something strange happened. I began to enjoy swimming more and the friendships I created as a swimmer became a bigger part of my life. Eventually, around the time I was 10, I decided to give up skateboarding and only pursue swimming. I haven’t looked back since.”
What do you enjoy most about swim?
“If you had asked me when I was younger, I probably would have told you something along the lines of having the opportunity to race or compete with other athletes, but I think my answer has changed as of late.
“As I am now the ripe old age of 22, I have had more time to reflect on my career and the one facet of swimming that shines brighter than any other are the connections with other people that I have formed.
“The athletics community is incredibly vibrant not only at CBU, but all over the country, and I consider myself incredibly blessed to get to be a piece in this constantly evolving group that I have been able to call my own for the past 17 years.”
What’s your favorite memory from your pre-CBU swim career?
“When I was 15, I qualified for my first USA Swimming Junior National Championships. The meet ended up being in Austin, so my dad and I traveled to Texas for the week.
“Honestly, the meet was not even my best performance ever, but it was just so much fun hanging out with my dad for the week and experiencing a new city and a new level of competition.
“Growing up, my dad and I went to a lot of competitions together all over the country, and they are some of the fondest memories that I have from my youth.”
What brought you to swim at CBU?
“In my last couple years of high school, I was recruited by several schools and never actually really thought I would end up at CBU.
“I took an official athletics trip to CBU during the fall of my junior year of high school and really enjoyed it, but after that I continued to talk with other schools.
“After visiting the other schools I was talking to, I realized that CBU was an incredibly unique school that offered everything I was looking for. I found the integration of faith, Division-I athletics, competitive academics and great food incredibly compelling and finally committed to swim here during the fall of my senior year. It’s a decision that I continue to be blessed by every day.”
