Samantha Yeo
Samantha Yeo
QUICK STATS
- Birthday: January 24, 1997
- Hometown: Singapore
- Now Resides: Ann Arbor, MI
- College: University of Michigan
- Height: 5’ 6’’
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- National Records in the 100m breaststroke and 200m IM
- Made my National Team Debut (Singapore) in 2009, when I was 12
- 5 x Southeast Asian Games Qualifier – 12x Medalist (3 Gold, 2 Silver, 7 Bronze)
- Qualified for the World Championships in 2013 and 2015
- Semifinal berth at the 2014 Commonwealth Games
- Asian Youth Games Gold Medalist
- Made the team for the Asian Games in 2010, 2014, and 2018 – Bronze Medalist
EXPERIENCE
Samantha Yeo got the racing bug at just six years old and has pushed over one age barrier after another, shocking the swimming world by competing in the Southeast Asian Games at just twelve years old against competitors twice her age. Now, she uses that same dedication and spirit to help the next generation of swimmers grasp new concepts and push through their own barriers in her clinics.
“I love being around kids and being able to share something that means so much to me, and I want to be able to connect with them through the sport I love. People don’t realize how much teaching impacts young swimmers. As a teacher, you really get to know your students and form a very special bond.”
Samantha emphasizes a focused approach in her clinics, striving to get the participants to pinpoint one or two things to work on so they don’t become overwhelmed. In particular, she targets their underwaters, breakouts and finishes, because as she says: “You have 200 opportunities during a 5,000 yard practice to work on underwaters, breakouts, turns and finishes. It’s an easy way to get results if you focus on the little things every single time, and you get the speed with minimal exertion.”
Every day is an opportunity to grow and learn, and Samantha needs just one day to help drill a few small things into swimmers’ heads that will help them succeed in the long run. She is an invaluable resource for knowledge and encourages swimmers to communicate, keep an open mind about her teaching and ask questions. Samantha loves to answer questions about how to calm your nerves before a race, what it’s like to be an international swimmer, what it’s like to swim at a national level meet, how to improve technique, and any other question that pops into a young swimmer’s mind: she’s an open book.
She also strives to help the swimmers have fun, because no matter what she is doing, she wants to enjoy it and wants the swimmers to feel the same way. By booking Samantha for a clinic, you’re giving your swimmers an opportunity to improve both in and out of the pool all while having the time of their lives.
