From Canada to Aggieland, diver finds second home
Alyssa Clairmont started her athletic career as a gymnast. But after quitting the sport, the Canada native wanted to find another challenge, which led her to the local recreational pool. One day during lessons, she saw a flyer about diving and thought, “That seems like water gymnastics.” So, she joined the rec team and has been diving ever since.
Because Canada doesn’t offer swimming and diving scholarships, Alyssa considered colleges in the United States. She narrowed it down to five choices that were competitive academically and athletically, and Texas A&M University made the cut. After visiting Aggieland, her mind was made up.
“I wanted to challenge myself, and when I came on my visit everything about the campus and people appealed to me,” Alyssa said.
Despite coming on a visit, it wasn’t until her freshman year that Alyssa realized how important Aggie traditions are. On Traditions Night, she attended her first Midnight Yell and loved it. Now whenever someone visits, she insists they come a day earlier so they can witness yell practice. That tradition and the Aggie Ring are her favorite. Alyssa finally gets to order her ring next semester, and she’s so excited she can’t stop talking about it.
Now that she’s been here three years, Alyssa can confidently say that the community and opportunities are what she loves most about Texas A&M. Coming from Regina, Saskatchewan — a city that’s more than 1,400 miles from College Station — finding a home away from home was important.
“I think it’s insane how many different activities you can get involved in and the people you meet along the way,” Alyssa said. “I always say Texas A&M is my second home. I’ve found several groups I can call my family.”
A second family
Alyssa considers her teammates her best friends. In fact, they’re so close that she sometimes forgets that she’s not from Texas. The only time she remembers is when her teammates tell her she’s the coolest person they know because she’s from Canada. That family bond extends to the coaching staff too.
“My coach and his wife are basically my second parents,” Alyssa said. “My whole team supports me more than anything and I can’t say enough how much I appreciate them.”
And even when she’s not with her teammates, she finds comfort in the bond shared with other Aggie athletes. Alyssa loves having classes with other student-athletes because it’s an easy way to spot those who share something in common with her. Even the professors have been supportive of her athletic career. They always ask for an update from her meets once she returns to class.
“My professor is probably going to ask me to tell the class how I did in my meet last week,” Alyssa said. “The community outside of athletics really supports us and I don’t think you can find that everywhere.”
Juggling classes, meets, practice and other extracurriculars can be a bit hectic at times, but Alyssa is really proud to be on the team and represent Texas A&M.
Best memories in Aggieland
Alyssa vividly recalls her first SEC Championship meet. It was at Auburn University and the atmosphere was like nothing she had ever experienced. The fans were cheering so loud and the pool deck was packed with people shoulder-to-shoulder. She ended up finishing fourth in the platform and fifth in the 1-meter.
She qualified for the NCAA Championship that year, but it was cancelled due to COVID-19. This year she qualified again and competed in her first NCAA Championship. She finished 39th in the 1-meter dive, 23rd in the 3-meter with a score of 303.40 and placed 43rd in platform with a score of 217.85. She hopes to improve on this result next year, as well as earn a medal at the SEC Championship. Alyssa competes in all three diving events: the 1-meter springboard, 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform. The platform is her favorite because it’s the highest and she enjoys the adrenaline rush.
Academically, she plans to graduate with her psychology degree and further her education. Her goal is to serve as a graduate assistant with a swimming and diving program while earning her master’s degree. She’s not exactly sure what her future holds five years from now, but plans to return to Canada and visit Texas A&M when she can. Until then, she will continue making memories and enjoying her time in Aggieland.
“Being a student-athlete at Texas A&M is a great opportunity and something that will stand out on my resume,” Alyssa said. “I couldn’t be where I am today without my teammates and the people I’ve met along the way.”
Alyssa Clairmont started her athletic career as a gymnast. But after quitting the sport, the Canada native wanted to find another challenge, which led her to the local recreational pool. One day during lessons, she saw a flyer about diving and thought, “That seems like water gymnastics.” So, she joined the rec team and has been diving ever since.
Because Canada doesn’t offer swimming and diving scholarships, Alyssa considered colleges in the United States. She narrowed it down to five choices that were competitive academically and athletically, and Texas A&M University made the cut. After visiting Aggieland, her mind was made up.
“I wanted to challenge myself, and when I came on my visit everything about the campus and people appealed to me,” Alyssa said.
Despite coming on a visit, it wasn’t until her freshman year that Alyssa realized how important Aggie traditions are. On Traditions Night, she attended her first Midnight Yell and loved it. Now whenever someone visits, she insists they come a day earlier so they can witness yell practice. That tradition and the Aggie Ring are her favorite. Alyssa finally gets to order her ring next semester, and she’s so excited she can’t stop talking about it.
Now that she’s been here three years, Alyssa can confidently say that the community and opportunities are what she loves most about Texas A&M. Coming from Regina, Saskatchewan — a city that’s more than 1,400 miles from College Station — finding a home away from home was important.
“I think it’s insane how many different activities you can get involved in and the people you meet along the way,” Alyssa said. “I always say Texas A&M is my second home. I’ve found several groups I can call my family.”
A second family
Alyssa considers her teammates her best friends. In fact, they’re so close that she sometimes forgets that she’s not from Texas. The only time she remembers is when her teammates tell her she’s the coolest person they know because she’s from Canada. That family bond extends to the coaching staff too.
“My coach and his wife are basically my second parents,” Alyssa said. “My whole team supports me more than anything and I can’t say enough how much I appreciate them.”
And even when she’s not with her teammates, she finds comfort in the bond shared with other Aggie athletes. Alyssa loves having classes with other student-athletes because it’s an easy way to spot those who share something in common with her. Even the professors have been supportive of her athletic career. They always ask for an update from her meets once she returns to class.
“My professor is probably going to ask me to tell the class how I did in my meet last week,” Alyssa said. “The community outside of athletics really supports us and I don’t think you can find that everywhere.”
Juggling classes, meets, practice and other extracurriculars can be a bit hectic at times, but Alyssa is really proud to be on the team and represent Texas A&M.
Best memories in Aggieland
Alyssa vividly recalls her first SEC Championship meet. It was at Auburn University and the atmosphere was like nothing she had ever experienced. The fans were cheering so loud and the pool deck was packed with people shoulder-to-shoulder. She ended up finishing fourth in the platform and fifth in the 1-meter.
She qualified for the NCAA Championship that year, but it was cancelled due to COVID-19. This year she qualified again and competed in her first NCAA Championship. She finished 39th in the 1-meter dive, 23rd in the 3-meter with a score of 303.40 and placed 43rd in platform with a score of 217.85. She hopes to improve on this result next year, as well as earn a medal at the SEC Championship. Alyssa competes in all three diving events: the 1-meter springboard, 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform. The platform is her favorite because it’s the highest and she enjoys the adrenaline rush.
Academically, she plans to graduate with her psychology degree and further her education. Her goal is to serve as a graduate assistant with a swimming and diving program while earning her master’s degree. She’s not exactly sure what her future holds five years from now, but plans to return to Canada and visit Texas A&M when she can. Until then, she will continue making memories and enjoying her time in Aggieland.
“Being a student-athlete at Texas A&M is a great opportunity and something that will stand out on my resume,” Alyssa said. “I couldn’t be where I am today without my teammates and the people I’ve met along the way.”