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CLOVIS - In hindsight, Bella Zamora swimming at the Division I college level seems like a given.
But that wasn't always the case. Not too long ago, Zamora herself didn't even know if she would swim competitively beyond Clovis High.
"And then I had sort of a breakthrough meet my junior year," she said, "and I started considering it, swimming in college."
And the offers starting coming in. Then came the recruiting trips to the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, Northern Arizona University, Adams State University.
"I went and visited a bunch of colleges," Zamora said, "and it really came down to what fit me personally best."
And the winner was - New Mexico State in Las Cruces.
"UNM was heavily recruiting Bella, but I was really pleased that she decided to go with New Mexico State," Clovis head swim coach Gordy Westerberg said, "because I've had a couple of girls head up there from my other programs, and they swam really well."
Westerberg will actually have two girls 'head up there' this fall - Zamora and her current Wildcat teammate Hannah Luscombe.
"I think that they're both going to do very, very well," Westerberg said.
For Zamora, like any college-bound athlete, it was about fit.
"Personality," she said. "Particularly on the swim team; I got along with the girls really well. They were all really nice. The coach, that's really important when it comes to sports and swimming - a fantastic relationship with the coach."
Which in NMSU's case is Rick Pratt.
"It was really cool to get to know him over time through the recruiting process," Zamora said.
Westerberg is certain that Pratt will enjoy coaching Zamora and Luscombe.
"He's comfortable with me," Westerberg said, "so he knows what to expect when they walk in. He knows exactly what they'll be able to do in practices, which really puts them at an advantage."
Aside from Pratt and the program, Zamora also thought NMSU was a comfortable fit in general.
"I really liked where it is," she said. "I love Las Cruces, I love the weather. And then academically, it has all my majors on the list that I'm considering. It fit all my checklist."
Zamora has come a long way from the girl who, seven or eight years ago, didn't even really want to swim.
"I first started swimming because my mom made me," Zamora recalled. "When you're little you kind of just get put into sports. And over time I developed a love for it. It's kind of like that feeling when you race, it's kind of like this euphoria, like the runner's high. And racing someone and hitting the goal or beating someone you've wanted to, that's really one of the main reasons why I swim, for that moment."
Zamora progressed over the years and began to see that she might have a future in the sport.
"When I started making higher-ranking meet cuts at a sectional and junior national level, I was like, 'Hey, maybe I can do this in college,'" she said.
And this fall she will indeed be swimming in college. Zamora sees herself as someone who can be a contributor to the NMSU program.
"I believe I will be a good sprinter," she said. "I'll make friends and become a good teammate, hopefully. And hopefully I'll become a strong relay leg."
"Bella, she can swim pretty much anything," Westerberg said.
Westerberg, in fact, is confident that Zamora will excel at the Division I college level.
"I think her background, especially the last two years - and it's actually the same for Hannah - the background that they've gotten the last couple of seasons will really help. It's a good base for them."