Swimming has been part of Kylie Beaudet's life for nearly two decades, shaping not only her competitive drive but also the way she approaches challenges. As a senior at Cal State East Bay, Beaudet has embraced the daily demands of being a student-athlete while steadily building toward a future she hopes will keep her close to the sport.
"I want to become a collegiate swim coach one day," Beaudet said. "The coaches I've had didn't just help me get faster. They taught me discipline, accountability, and how to handle setbacks, and that's something I want to give back to other athletes."
A kinesiology major, Beaudet views her coursework as a critical part of her development. Understanding movement, injury prevention, and training design has allowed her to think more intentionally about performance and recovery. "Studying kinesiology helps me understand how the body works," she explained. "I want to use that knowledge to help athletes train smarter and stay healthy, both physically and mentally."
Her competitive resume reflects steady growth and consistency throughout her career at East Bay. During the 2024–25 season, Beaudet earned CSCAA Second Team All-American honors in the 400-yard individual medley and the 400-yard medley relay. She placed 10th nationally in the 400 IM at the NCAA Division II Championships and helped her relay team finish 12th in the nation, while also competing on the 200-yard medley relay that placed 17th.
Beaudet's success at the national level was built on a strong foundation established early in her collegiate career. As a freshman, she earned Cal State East Bay Female Freshman of the Year honors and was named a CSCAA Second Team All-American in the 400 IM after finishing 14th at the NCAA Division II Championships. She added conference titles in the 400 IM and 200 IM, and continued her upward trajectory as a sophomore, earning the Rising Pioneer Award, a PCSC championship in the 200-yard breaststroke, and All-Academic honors.
Her decision to attend Cal State East Bay was rooted in connection. From her first visit, Beaudet felt comfortable with the team and the environment surrounding the program.
"The team was incredibly welcoming," she said. "After my visit, I knew this was a place where I could settle in and grow. It felt like a group of people who genuinely supported one another."
That sense of trust was reinforced through conversations with head coach Shane Pelton. "Coach Shane believed in my potential right away," Beaudet added. "We had similar expectations for growth and accountability, and that alignment meant a lot to me."
Support from home has played a central role throughout Beaudet's journey. A first-generation college student-athlete, she credits her family for providing unwavering encouragement.
"My family has been there from the beginning," she said. "They woke me up early, drove long distances for meets, and stayed supportive even when things were hard."
Her sister, a former swimmer whose career ended due to injury, also influenced her perspective. Seeing that experience helped Beaudet appreciate the opportunities she has had and motivated her to approach the sport with gratitude.
One of the most challenging moments of Beaudet's collegiate career came during her sophomore season, when a groin injury kept her out of the water for nearly two months, leading into conference competition.
"That time was mentally tough," she said. "I worried about my recovery and about not being able to contribute the way I wanted to."
Rather than becoming discouraged, Beaudet leaned into her rehabilitation and her teammates' support. Watching them compete pushed her to stay engaged and positive, allowing her to reframe the injury as part of her development rather than a setback.
Managing the balance between academics and athletics has been another area of growth. Beaudet emphasizes planning ahead, staying organized, and allowing herself time to rest. Open communication with coaches and professors has helped her navigate busy stretches of the season without becoming overwhelmed.
Beyond performance, Beaudet is passionate about addressing burnout and mental health challenges within collegiate athletics. She believes the pressure to constantly push through exhaustion often prevents athletes from speaking up when they need support.
"I've seen teammates struggle and hesitate to ask for help," she said. "Creating an environment where athletes feel comfortable talking about mental health can make a real difference."
As her collegiate career enters its final chapter, Beaudet remains focused on the process rather than the outcome. Each practice and meet is approached with intention, built on years of experience, growth, and trust in the work she has put in.
Looking ahead, Beaudet hopes to stay connected to the sport through coaching, using her knowledge and experiences to guide future swimmers. Her journey at Cal State East Bay has given her a foundation rooted in discipline, resilience, and genuine appreciation for the sport, one she is eager to carry forward.
