Strong academic offerings. A welcoming atmosphere. Small class sizes. Many of the hallmarks of Division III were already in place when Grace Norman first stepped onto the campus of Carthage College four years ago. As a prospective student-athlete, she was searching for a place that could provide the blend of academics, athletics and campus life that she wanted for her college experience. 
 
Carthage checked all the boxes for her – including being the perfect distance from her hometown of Clarkston, Mich. near Detroit.
 
“I knew that I wanted to swim in college towards the end of my high school career. I also knew that I’m just the person I am. I’m very academically driven, so I needed both to be a perfect fit. And when I visited Carthage and I stepped on campus and I met Coach Beth (DeLaRosby), I just knew this was going to be the place for me,” Norman said.
 
Norman quickly realized the importance of balancing academics and athletics. Juggling a rigorous schedule of practices, competitions and classes taught her valuable time management skills and the ability to prioritize her commitments.
 
“I always say that athletes are the best students, right? I think sometimes athletes get a bad rep in the classroom, but I really do think my foundation of learning happened through teamwork and learning how to manage a schedule with swim practice,” Norman said.
 
“I think that you realize that you have to get stuff done if you have a timeline like that. I just think the balance is there automatically as an athlete, but it’s really what you put into it.”
 
Norman credits her parents for instilling in her the drive to excel both in the classroom and in the pool. She holds herself to high standards and believes that the Division III model, which emphasizes the importance of academics, has been instrumental in her success. Unlike athletes in other divisions who receive athletic aid, Division III student-athletes compete for the love of the sport and the camaraderie of their teammates.
 
“It just means a lot more to us to be doing it for ourselves and for our teammates here every day,” Norman said.
 
Division III has allowed her to represent herself on various levels, both at Carthage and nationwide, and she encourages future student-athletes to step outside their comfort zones and seize every chance that comes their way. Norman has served as an executive board member of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) since 2022. She was the CCIW’s representative as an associate member on NCAA Division III SAAC in 2024-25.
 
“Division III has allowed me to represent myself on many levels, both here at Carthage and … nationwide. I think that it’s amazing to see all these different walks of life come together, and we all have similarities and things that we cherish, right? We all want this athletic experience, but we all have these huge academic goals and we are involved in clubs and all. It’s just so nice to be surrounded by people who care about similar things than you and who are driven and like-minded, and I think it’s brought us all together as like a super tight Division III knit community,” Norman said.
 
As Norman prepares to graduate from Carthage, she is excited to continue her academic journey at Tufts University, where she will pursue a doctorate in occupational therapy. As she reflects on her time as a Division III student-athlete, Norman is grateful for the opportunities, experiences, and friendships that have shaped her journey at Carthage.
 
“It’s okay to be a little outside of your comfort zone and meet new people, but it’s going to lead you (to) so many great places and form so many great connections down the line.”