Ashley Howard

Position:
Back/Free
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Durham, N.C.
High School:
Riverside

Career Best Times: 55.83 in the 100-yard backstroke; 1:55.45 in the 200-yard backstroke (School Record; 1:48.44 in the 200-yard freestyle; 4:48.16 in the 500-yard freestyle (7th in school history).

General: For the second year in a row, ranks in the No. 1 spot on the preseason depth chart in the 200 back at 1:55.45 which is also the fastest time in school history...is one of two captains for the 2009-10 women's team...three-time returning letter winner...is ranked third on UNC's preseason depth chart in the 500-yard freestyle...qualified for the 2009 NCAAs in the 200-yard backstroke where she swam .08 of a second off her best time...member of the ACC All-Academic Women's Swimming and Diving Team for the 2008-09 season.

Long Course Highlights: Went a career best time in the 200-meter backstroke at 2009 U.S. Open with a time of 2:14.88...qualified for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 200-meter backstroke.

2008-09 (Junior): Set the University record with a career best time of 1:55.45 in the 200-yard backstroke at the ACC Championships ...finished fourth in the event for her best individual finish of the meet...went a best time in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:48.44 at ACCs...finished 13th in both the 200 free and 500 free at ACCs...made the NCAA Championships in the 200-yard backstroke and was just .08 off her career best time with a standard of 1:55.53...went a career best in the 500 free at the NCAA Championships with a time of 4:48.16...made the Dean's List for the spring semester 2009...selected for the 2008-09 ACC Academic Honor Roll... recognized by the College Swimming Coaches Association as one of its 2009 Scholar-Athlet award winners...named to the ACC All-Academic Women's Swimming and Diving Team...shared the Andrea Erben Memorial Award as the squad's most dedicated swimmer.

2007-08 (Sophomore): Set career best times in the 100-yard backstroke and 500-yard freestyle at the ACC Championships with standards of 56.63 and 4:51.70, respectively...her time of 1:57.84 in the 200-yard backstroke at the U.S. Swimming Short Course National Championships in the fall semester lifted her into second place in school history, only .01 seconds from first place on the Tar Heel chart ... finished fourth in the 200-yard backstroke at the ACC Championships... named to 2007-08 ACC Academic Honor Roll.

2006-07 (Freshman): Had a very successful ACC Championship meet...was a member of the victorious 800-yard freestyle relay unitwhich set a new pool record and achieved an NCAA "B" qualifying standard...placed third in the 200-yard backstroke with a career best time, NCAA consideration time and what was then the seventh fastest time in UNC history...was the ninth-place finisher in the 200-yard freestyle, achieving the NCAA "B" standard with a time of 1:50.04...took seventh in the 500-yard free with a career best time...named an All-Conference Performer in the 200 backstroke and as a member of the 800 freestyle relay team...won the Andrea Erban Award as the team's most dedicated swimmer.

Prep: Graduated from Riverside High School on June 9, 2006...four-year swimming letter winner there in the free, back and IM...a senior national qualifier in the 200 backstroke...also qualified for the U.S. Open in both the 100 and 200 backstrokes ...named a North Carolina All-Star three times... named Riverside's MVP three times...four-year honor roll student ...N.C. Scholar...National Honor Society member...junior national qualifier in the 100 and 200 backstrokes.

Personal: Given name is Ashley Brooke Howard...daughter of Ken and Jeannine Howard...was born January 13, 1988 in Durham, N.C. ...has one sister, Chelsea, 15.

The How To Of Howard
Academic Major at Carolina: Economics
Career Plans: Undetermined
Athlete I Most Admire: Lance Armstrong
Biggest Sports Thrill: Getting my Olympic Trials cut
People Who Have Had The Greatest Influence on My Athletic Career: My parents and my former coach Eric Steinger
Favorite Book: The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Favorite Food: Mexican Food
Favorite Movie: Wedding Crashers
Favorite TV Show: Friends
City I've Never Been To But Want To Visit: Paris, France
Entertainment Figure I'd Most Like To Have Dinner With: Vince Vaughn