Q&A:
Names: Hilary (Fritz) Thran and Gabe Thran
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2012 (Hilary) and 2014 (Gabe)
Events:
Hilary: 100/200 Back and 200 IM
Gabe: 50/100/200 Free
Degrees:
Hilary: Double Major in Management Information Systems and Finance
Gabe: Double Major in Entrepreneurship/Business Development and Finance
Professions:
Both of us are Technology Consultants
Hilary at IBM and Gabe at Deloitte Consulting
Current residence:
Wilmington, NC off Whiskey Creek!
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
Hilary: Coach Allen’s pump-up speech on the first night of CAAs about all of us being his little Christmas presents under the tree ready to be unwrapped to see how fast we would go! And Mrs. Mann’s giant chocolate chip cookies for the bus!
Gabe: Winning the Men’s Championship in 2014 in the relay!
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
We have made lifelong friends and met each other!
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
After graduation, we lived in Alexandria, VA for about 5 years and then happily moved back to Wilmington at the end of 2019! We still enjoy everything about Wilmington, going to the beach, and Gabe loves to surf.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Hillsdale/Nash, Mayfaire, Cookout, Islands, Blue Surf, Tower7, MAW bar, WB, and the Beach Bars!
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Hilary: FTB… shout out to Coach Todd!
Gabe: A bad day at the beach is better than a good day anywhere else!
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
D1 College Swimming and Diving has made us TOUGH and Resilient. You can take on, endure pretty much anything, work hard, and be successful. Use that to your advantage!
Also, don’t hesitate to use your alumni UNCW Swimming Family and network!