Ranzau Sisters

Favorite or funniest or most embarrassing swimming memory: There are too many stories to count! A few that come to mind- accidentally wearing my suit inside out to a morning practice and wondering why people were laughing…NBAC meet, cicada season, finding a bunch of cicadas in my swim bag and jacket…swimming distance group in lane 1 but me and Andrew Callahan had to do backstroke and breaststroke for the whole thing…Will Gordon making me listen to Nickelback album for months on the drive to afternoon practice…OTC trips…mare nostrum circuit in Europe…just being a part of the Senior 1 crew- I looked up to those older guys so much! Looking back, my time at Dynamo was some of the happiest times in my life- I loved the people I trained with and practice was my sanctuary- Alex Levinger, Ryan Staak, Will Gordon, Brandon Burke, Rob and Andy Miller, Lauren Reinmann, Melissa Klein, Andrew Callahan…it was guaranteed laughter every practice!

Your pinnacle/ peak performance: My peak/pinnacle performance was at my first Mare Nostrum meet…I was so excited just to get the invite from AB and I wanted to make the most of the opportunity and swim fast to earn my spot. It was a life-changing meet and trip for me, confidence-wise. I will be honest, though- I always preferred practices to meets! I loved the grind of practice much more than the desire to race. The pride of hard work was more fulfilling than the end result, personally.

How has your time at Dynamo impacted your life: Dynamo has impacted me in all the best ways- my time in Senior 1 under Alex Braunfeld taught me physical and mental toughness, resilience, and leadership. Swimming is such a tough sport and not for the faint of heart. As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized Dynamo shaped me to seek out the harder path, or the road less traveled, from a young age. Dynamo gave me the confidence to seek and conquer challenges head-on. I credit Dynamo for the opportunity to swim at Texas A&M and join the Navy after graduation. I don’t think I would have joined the military had I not already been instilled with a good work ethic and been a glutton for punishment!

Where are you today? I live in Johns Creek with my husband and 3 kids! My 8-year old currently swims for AG3 Green in Alpharetta! I am coaching our neighborhood summer league swim team and it has been a blast imparting my love for the sport to 125 kids 🙂 I learned to play tennis a few years ago and that sport is my new happy place and great competitive outlet!

Are you open to helping other Dynamo alums with networking? Yes

Favorite swimming memory: Turkey shoot with coach Alex, playing swimming “baseball” and monopoly with coach Gene. Travel meet to Irvine, CA

Your pinnacle/ peak performance: My peak/pinnacle performance was in 200 free at sectionals in 2007. I remember before my race Jason Turcotte told me “be smart, be aggressive, be tough. If you can only be two be aggressive and tough.” Those words have stuck with me almost 20 years later!

How has your time at Dynamo impacted your life: I get incredibly nostalgic and sentimental thinking about my time at Dynamo and how it led me down paths that made me who I am today. Not only did I learn life lessons such as hard work, determination and tenacity, but through Dynamo I have made life long friendships. The group of girls from my time swimming are still friends today, and now our children are forming friendships together which is so special to see. Dynamo didn’t just shape my character—it influenced the course of my life. It led me to the college I attended, which in turn set me on the path to my career, where I met my husband and began the life I have now. I truly believe I wouldn’t be where I am without the foundation Dynamo gave me.

Where are you today? Following my time at Dynamo I swam at the United States Naval Academy. Upon graduation in 2011 I went to flight school to pursue a career as a Naval Aviator. I was a Navy helicopter pilot for 10 years, stationed in San Diego, Florida, and Virginia Beach. I was able to see different parts of the world, and was embarked on various Navy ships including an air craft carrier. I completed my time in active duty in 2021, and have since been a stay at home mom to my 3 wonderful kids (Knox, 6. Maren, 3. Luke, 1). My husband Tommy is still active duty and we currently live in Virginia Beach, VA. In a perfect world one day I’d love to be able to move back to the Atlanta area and have my kids swim at Dynamo!

Favorite or funniest or most embarrassing swimming memory: I’d have to say all of the travel trips, especially any to California or Florida! I never swam my best outside, but Jason Turcotte always said it was hilarious watching me swim backstroke because I could never swim in a straight line. Regardless, I was so thankful for the opportunities to attend meets like Junior Nationals and other Grand Prix’s all over the country!

Your pinnacle/ peak performance: My peak/pinnacle performance was in 200 Back at the Indianapolis Grand Prix when I qualified for the 2012 Olympic Trials. I had been chasing the trial cut for a while and it felt so good when those Sunday practices at Chamblee paid off.

How has your time at Dynamo impacted your life: Swimming and Dynamo has taught me perseverance and discipline. To be able to swim at a top swim club in the country with some of the best swimmers who were also like-minded in their goal setting was an awesome opportunity. I’ve carried what I’ve learned from swimming at Dynamo into my day to day life being in the Navy!

Where are you today? Currently I am still serving in the Navy going on 7 years of Active Duty. I just left my first tour in San Diego, CA (flying the MH-60R) and I am on my second tour in Pensacola, FL to become a Flight Instructor teaching flight students how to fly helicopters before they join the Fleet! It’s been a super rewarding job and I get to do what I love best, which is flying!

Are you open to helping other Dynamo alums with networking? Yes!