Since the moment she raced in her first swim meet, Chihiro Bringman has wanted to swim for a Division I program.
On Tuesday, Bringman’s dreams became a reality, as she signed her national letter of intent in the Centralia High School library to join the Stonehill College swim team.
Bringman recently completed one of the most decorated swimming careers in CHS history. Last week at the 1A/2A State Championships in Federal Way, she finished fifth in the state in both the 200- and 500-yard freestyle, posting times of 2:03.70 and 5:31.39.
It’s her second-straight top-eight finish in the 200, and it’s her second year in a row taking fifth in the 500. She has also won the last two district championships in each event.
Joining Bringman on Tuesday were her parents, club and high school swim coaches, and dozens of friends and loved ones.
“It means a lot to me,” Bringman said. “The people here today have watched me grow since I was really little … They’ve pushed me to get to where I’m at now. I got to accomplish this goal with them, and it’s just really nice to have these people here with me.”
Bringman began swimming competitively about a decade ago, and while she did play other sports, she eventually chose to focus on swimming because she enjoyed the competition and was “really good at it.”
When COVID-19 wiped out what would have been her freshman season, she still found athletic success, running cross country and qualifying for districts.
“I decided to try something new instead of just doing nothing my freshman year,” Bringman said. “I really enjoyed it, and I think I accomplished my goals that I set for that one year.”
She first met Centralia swim coach Paul Masiello when she was 12 years old, and Masiello said their first interaction has always stuck with him.
“She asked me if she swam in high school if she could go to college,” Masiello said, while adding that she specifically mentioned wanting to go D-I. “She’s had her mind set for it … That’s always been her goal. She had a plan to do it, and she achieved it.”
Over the years at the high school, Bringman and Masiello grew closer, and now, Bringman jokingly refers to Masiello as her “swim dad.”
“We just have a really good bond,” Bringman said. “I’m gonna be really sad to not be able to come back next year. But I will continue to swim for him and the high school even if I am at college and continue to make him proud.”
Now with her high school career behind her, Bringman will make the 3,100-mile trip to Easton, Massachusetts, where she will be joining the Stonehill College swim team.
Bringman said that after the school initially reached out, she hopped on a call and instantly connected with the coach. That eventually led to an official visit, one where she fell in love with the campus and got to meet some of the other swimmers.
“It stuck with me,” Bringman said. “It was like an instant click.”
While Bringman did note that she’ll be nervous to be far from home, she’s also excited to go to a new area of the country and “see what’s out there.”
