Celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports day With AGUA Masters!
The thrill of racing, the bonds shared with teammates, the confidence from feeling healthier and stronger… There are so many reasons why the women in Asphalt Green’s AGUA Masters swim team love to compete.
February 4 is National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Today and every day, we celebrate female athletes in all our programs and across the world of sports who continue to inspire with their excellence and advocate for equal access to athletics.
As we enter this special day, we spoke with four AGUA Masters swimmers to celebrate their athletic journeys and hear how they’re supporting our mission to transform lives through sports, fitness and play for all.
Mara Monetti
what do you love most about swimming with agua masterS?
I love the AGUA Masters community: my swim mates, who have become great friends in and out of the pool, and of course my amazing coaches, who challenge me everyday with engaging and fun practices.
Why do you think it’s important to create athletic opportunities for girls and women of all ages?
Sport is incredibly important for girls and women. It builds resilience and discipline, and promotes physical and mental well-being . No matter your age and gender, sports teach confidence, perseverance, and the value of believing in yourself.
Danielle Honrath
What do you love most about swimming with AGUA Masters?
I love the camaraderie and accountability the team provides! Head Coach, Jim Wu, and our entire coaching staff continuously challenge us with tough, well-designed workouts that push our limits. It’s that blend of community, friendship and being challenged that I love.
Is there a sportswoman who inspires you?
There are too many to name! Honestly, the women I train with at AGUA Masters inspire me every single day. These are women juggling families, demanding careers, and all of life’s complexities—yet they still show up to practice at 5:30am and give it their all. We motivate and push each other forward.
Why do you think it’s important to create athletic opportunities for girls and women of all ages?
The AGUA Masters community is deeply committed to equal access to swimming because we’ve experienced firsthand how transformative this sport can be. We recognize what swimming has given us—and we’re determined to break down barriers so others can experience these benefits too. Whether it’s water safety, health, or confidence, swimming opens doors. Everyone deserves that opportunity.
Delaney smith
What do you love most about swimming with AGUA Masters?
I’ve been a part of swim teams since I was 8 years old, starting with my YMCA team back in Cincinnati, then my high school team, and eventually the varsity team at Williams College. I’ve never been good at swimming alone; I crave the camaraderie and the (mostly) healthy competition that being part of a team provides. And let’s be honest, I’m not going to get myself to the pool at 5:30 in the morning without a little structure and accountability. AGUA Masters has become my new, lifelong team and community. I’ve made incredible friends here and have been pushed to accomplish things I didn’t think would be possible in my postgrad swimming career.
This year, Fleur Sohtz and other AGUA MAsters Swimmers completed milestone swims to help expand access to swimming. Why do you think the AGUA Masters community has been so committed to supporting equal access to swim?
The AGUA Masters community loves swimming. It’s the only reason (apart, perhaps, from a bit of Stockholm Syndrome) that we show up at practices and swim meets now that we aren’t being forced to by our parents and coaches. People generally want to share things that they love with others, so it’s no surprise that this community has been so eager to support Asphalt Green’s mission of expanding access to swimming. We know what the sport has done for us and we believe in its power to change others’ lives, too.
carlone hillebrand
What do you love most about swimming with AGUA Masters?
The people are the best part of AGUA Masters! We have a big group with a wide range of goals and reasons for being back in the pool, and our coaches make it a fun and motivating environment for everyone.
Why do you think it’s important to create athletic opportunities for girls and women of all ages?
I think creating athletic opportunities for women of all ages is important because sport provides a space to see effort turn into progress. Learning to be persistent and take on challenges in that environment translates directly to life outside of sports. Through swimming, I’ve also built a community of lifelong friends and mentors, and having that kind of support is valuable at any stage of life.
help asphalt gren get girls in the game
While participation in girls and women’s sports continues to grow, girls still exit sports at nearly twice the rate of boys by age 14.
That’s why Asphalt Green’s Get Girls in the Game Campaign is breaking down barriers to play. Last year, Asphalt Green awarded $1.2 million in scholarships, ran its first-ever girls-only Community Soccer League and expanded its recreational and competitive girls’ sports programming to reach countless new athletes.
Learn more about how you can get involved and help us get more girls in the game than ever before!
