Isabella Van Ess is a senior swimmer at Lafayette College from Ashburn, Virginia. She began swimming at a young age after being introduced to multiple sports growing up, ultimately finding her passion in the pool. Sharing love for the sport, her younger brother, Alex Van Ess, competes in Patriot league as a diver at Boston University.

Not only as a leader within her team. She has been named to the Dean's List and the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll across multiple seasons. Outside of the pool, she balances a busy schedule as a neuroscience major, resident assistant, and biology teaching assistant. In the summers, she works as a certified nursing assistant at a rehabilitation center, preparing herself to attend physician assistant school and pursue a future in healthcare.

Diving Into the Sport

Can you take me back to when you were first introduced to swimming and how that early experience turned into a love for the sport?
I was introduced to swimming when I was really young. Like a lot of swimmers, my parents signed me up for lessons, and I pretty quickly fell in love with it.My best friend in first grade, when you could start signing up for the school swim team, convinced me to join. That's when I first started competitively swimming.

At what point did you start to realize that swimming was something you were really good at and could take seriously?
I think that happened in high school. I started seeing real improvements and being more competitive at meets. Swimming constantly humbles you, there's always someone faster. So it's more about chasing personal progress.

What do you think people often misunderstand or underestimate about the sport of swimming?
How mental it is. People see the physical side, but staying locked in for months and dealing with not improving can be really challenging.

What has been your favorite event to compete?
200 breaststroke.

Looking back on your career, what has been your favorite meet and what made that experience so memorable?
The Patriot League meet this year. It's what you work for all season, and it was emotional because it was my last meet. I remember thinking it was the last time I'd wear a tech suit.

During such a long and demanding season, what continues to motivate you and keep you pushing forward?
My teammates, swimming can feel very individual when you're staring at a black line for two-plus hours every day competing as a team changes that. On hard days, it's about motivation and who you're surrounded by.It's also about accountability, if I don't show up it affects the whole team. My teammates make it fun. We push each other, laugh between sets, and celebrate small wins.



In what ways has being a student-athlete helped shape who you are outside of the pool?
I think swimming has made me a lot more disciplined and helped me manage my time. In middle school, I had practices at 5 AM every day, so I learned really young how to get all my schoolwork done early.

Tough practices also teach you how to show up even when you don't feel like it. That translates into studying and handling stressful situations.

Who has played the biggest role in pushing and motivating you throughout your journey as a swimmer?
My teammates, especially the people I train with every day. If I had to choose one, Abigail Bebel

What advice would you give to a younger swimmer who hopes to compete at the collegiate level one day?
Trust the process, even when progress feels slow. College is a big transition, but it all pays off.

How do you hope your teammates remember you and the impact you had on the team?
As someone who works hard, supports others, and brings positive energy.

Coaching & Mentorship

How have coaches and mentors influenced your development both in and out of the pool?
The biggest thing was balancing being a Division I athlete while pursuing a STEM major. Coach Tim Daily encourages student-athletes to pursue engineering and science. Also, the close-knit team environment.    

If you had the opportunity to meet any athlete, who would it be?
Katie Ledecky.

Which sports did you try growing up?

My mom had me sign up for a ton, soccer, skating, lacrosse, and field hockey. But I really loved swimming, so I stuck with that.

As a senior, what does being part of the team and nearing graduation mean to you now?
Lafayette has become a second home for me, if not my first. It's where I've grown the most, not just as an athlete, but as a student and a leader.

What is one possession that means the most to you and why?
A coin with an angel and paws on it that I got when we put my childhood dog down. I keep it on my bedside table.

On College Hill

Looking back from your freshman year to now, where have you seen the most personal growth?
I've become more confident in myself, both in swimming and in school. Freshman year was overwhelming. I struggled with academics and athletics. I wasn't confident behind the blocks and would second guess myself. Now I'm more confident in my performances. Academically, I had to learn how to study properly, and I've grown through that.

What will you miss most about your time at Lafayette?
Definitely my teammates and being part of a team.

If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
"Lush Life." by Zara Larsson

Do you prefer early morning or late practices and why?
Early morning practices. It makes me feel productive and helps me manage my day better.

Beyond the Blocks

How have you been able to balance your responsibilities as a neuroscience major, CNA, TA, and RA?
It requires a lot of planning. I rely on structure and use Google Calendar to color code everything. I remind myself why I'm doing everything. As an RA, I like making people feel included. As a TA, I enjoy helping students. It's also important to leave time for yourself.I'm CNA while at home. 

What are your goals after graduation and what are you most looking forward to in this next chapter?
The end goal is Physician Assistant school. I'm taking a gap year working as a medical assistant. I also want to run a marathon. I'm training for a half marathon right now.

What sparked your interest in neuroscience and led you to choose it as your major?
I took Intro to Psych and was interested, but wanted to know how things worked in the brain. Intro to Neuro answered those questions and kept my interest.

What would your perfect off day look like in just three words?
Sleep, movies, friends.

Life Outside the Lanes

What are some of the ways you like to relax and unwind outside of swimming?
I like hiking with my family, reading in the summer, listening to music, and hanging out with friends.

What has been your favorite hiking experience and what made it so special?
The Adirondack Mountains. We did a sunrise hike up Blue Mountain, waking up at 3 AM. Seeing the sunrise over the lake was really cool.

What is a fun or random fact about you that most people might not know?
I was born on a leap year, love hiking and I played the flute for seven years.

Who is your favorite artist right now?
Olivia Dean.

What is your go-to snack?
Edible cookie dough bites.

Quick Hits

What are your favorite takeout spots around campus?
Chick-fil-A or Wawa.

What is your favorite show or movie to watch?
Gilmore Girls.

If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be and why?
Being fluent in another language, like Spanish.

If you could live in any movie or fictional world for a week, which would you choose?
Harry Potter, but at the beginning of the year.

If you were going on an extreme trip, where would you go and who would you bring with you?
Hike Mount Everest with Sydney Goldberg.