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Tayla Smith

@tayla.smith003

1.2K

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@rutgersnb '29
@ruswimdive ⚔️
@talli_graphy
"it's not only about the destination, but the journey to get there in the end." 🇺🇸|🇯🇲

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not an ideal start, but we’ll be alright 🌦️

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off to a great start☺️❤️

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NYC, you just stole my heart🗽

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B1G Time. ⚔️❤️🖤 #mediaday #b1gten #rutgers #swimanddive #explorepage

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Starting to feel like home

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onto B1G things 🥳

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officially knighted ⚔️♥️ #year1

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RU Swim & Dive Media Day ‘26

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Changing zip codes once again 🗺️

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Day 1 of the ECACs!

RU competes today in the 50 Free (Smith, Ruffner, Vlachou) and the 500 Free (Valle)

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Swimming has been my life for the past 16 years.

I have devoted countless hours to growing as an athlete, student, and woman to fulfill the dream that ended this past weekend. I am eternally grateful for my teammates who will inspire me for a lifetime, insisting that I grow as a woman, a friend, and teammate in what ever capacity follows; for all of the coaches who have believed in me and encouraged me to continue working to my goal, even when I was at my lowest and struggling to find motivation. I am forever indebted to my parents, who put six-year-old me in swim lessons because I loved the water, who woke up at ungodly hours to drive me to practice, who supported me through every decision, every hardship, every success. Without them, I would not be who I am today.

Being a member of @ruswimdive for the past four years has been a blessing on my life. The women who I have had the privilege of meeting through this program are the strongest, hardworking, and committed I have ever met. They are a testament to the strength of the program and the deep culture that is at the heart of RUSD. Having a team of women surrounding me that all share a common goal and uplift one another is a factor that is special to find swimming in the NCAA. I am beholden to this team, and consider it to be a second family.

Thank you for everything.

♥️⚔️🪓🖤

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Whatever the song says

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