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Binghamton University Athletics

Courtney and Lauren

Dynamic Duo

| By: David O’Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)

Moane and Kuzma push each other to greatness in the pool at Binghamton

They first met in the fall of 2021 and knew right away they would become close friends within the Binghamton swimming & diving program. They both specialized in the breaststroke events and would become training partners for the next several years. Eventually, they would each become America East breaststroke champions.

For both Courtney Moane and Lauren Kuzma, the journey to becoming championship swimmers is one they made together. They have pushed, encouraged and comforted each other. They have also been each other's biggest fans and supporters every step of the way.

"Courtney is like a sister to me which makes our friendship very special," Kuzma said. "We know we can rely on each other in times of need and we have helped each other through the very tough - but rewarding - years of college life."

"Lauren has become my shoulder to cry on whenever I am having a bad day," Moane said. " I know that she is a text or phone call away if I need a friend to talk to. She always knows
how to make me feel better and I feel like I can talk to her about anything."

Moane Kuzma Win 2024As similar as they are now - Kuzma and Moane got involved with swimming in completely different ways when they were younger.  Whereas Moane loved sport from the beginning, Kuzma didn't.

"My parents put me in swim lessons and signed me up for club swimming at a young age." Kuzma said. "Believe it or not, I did not like the water when I was a young kid and would often cry because the water was too cold."

Moane's biggest problem, meanwhile, was figuring out which sport to focus on.

"Growing up, I did many different sports and swimming was always something that I loved to do." she said. "As I got older, my parents told me I had to make a decision on what sport I wanted to seriously pursue. The decision to stick with swimming was fairly easy for me, since it was where I had my closest friends and it was something that I genuinely enjoyed and excelled at from a young age."

Originally from Staten Island, Moane graduated from St. Joseph Hill Academy in 2020. She arrived on the Binghamton University campus during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic but still managed to have a solid freshman year. Moane was a finalist in both breaststroke events (100 yard and 200 yard) at the 2021 America East Championship Meet. Having competed during the truncated 2020-21 season, Moane was eventually able to swim an extra fifth year.

One year later, Kuzma graduated from Garden City (N.Y.) high school, which is located in her hometown. When she came on her recruiting visit, she felt welcomed by the coaches and team but hadn't gotten to meet Moane one-on-one.

Once Moane and Kuzma officially became teammates in the fall of 2021, however, it didn't take them long to hit it off as friends.

"We had the same practice schedules since we swam the same events and were spending a lot of time together," Moane said. "I could tell from very early on that we were going to become very close friends because every conversation we had was so genuine. In just a few short months, I felt like I had known Lauren my entire life."

"We hit it off right away, even though we competed against each other in the breaststroke events." Kuzma said. "Usually with people who compete against each other in similar events, you don't know how that will end up. With Courtney and I, we did a very good job separating swimming and being friends outside of the pool."

What made Kuzma and Moane the perfect duo was both their dedication to the sport as well as their drive to succeed.

"I hadn't met someone with such a passion as a swimmer until I met Courtney," Kuzma said. "She really has such a great love and appreciation for the sport, which you don't see in everyone."

2025 Senior Day Lauren"Lauren was one of the hardest working people I had ever met," Moane said. " She also had an ability to push through whatever comes her way, which was so admirable," 

At the 2022 America East Meet, both Moane and Kuzma were top-eight finalists in the 100 and 200 breaststroke events. That season would provide a glimpse of what was to come.

As Moane and Kuzma continued to train together - they improved together. They may have been competing for the same honors - but they knew they had each other to credit for what they accomplished.  

"Having Lauren as a training partner is a big reason why I am the athlete and competitor that I am today," Moane said. "Oftentimes in practices, we are racing side by side and I can always count on her to push me to be my best. The friendly competition we have is so unique and I believe it has made us closer."

"Courtney definitely motivates me to swim faster and try my best at every single practice," Kuzma said. "She pushes me to be better in the best way possible. When I'm not having the best day, she is there to support me and push me when I need a little motivation."

In 2023, Moane and Kuzma repeated as top-eight finalists in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke events at the America East Championships. Moane was even the runner up in the 100 breaststroke. By this time, they had come to develop a mutual admiration for each other as close friends outside the pool. 

"As a person, Courtney's resilience and integrity are traits I admire about her," Kuzma said. "She is one of the strongest people I know and I completely look up to her for it. Courtney is always someone who does what's right and is very true to herself. You can always rely on her."

"Lauren truly is one of a kind," Moane said. "She is always putting everyone else before herself and really is the best person ever. I am so lucky to have her as a close friend for life and I know that no matter what happens, she will always be there for me."

Heading into the 2024 America East Championships, Moane and Kuzma were both contenders for the conference breaststroke titles. They had been pushing each other for three years to be the best and now they were on the doorstep of becoming conference champions.

Since she was the runner up in the 100 breaststroke at the 2023 conference meet, Moane felt the pressure of trying to win her first title.

"Getting first in the 100 breast at conferences was always in the back of my mind but with that came the nerves and anxiety of not performing," she said. "I felt a lot of pressure going into the meet being seeded at the top. But I tried to channel that energy into excitement and motivate myself to achieve my goals."

Kuzma, meanwhile, had never even been a top-three finisher at the conference meet but she had the top 200 breaststroke time heading into the event.

"I definitely felt the pressure of being the favorite in the 200 breaststroke." she said. "I am glad I took my nerves and turned them into success and didn't let that pressure get the best of me."

In the end, Moane and Kuzma won their events - and Kuzma was also third in the 100 breast. Moane, meanwhile, was also a champion on both first-place medley relay teams (200 yard and 400 yard). As elated as they were to win their first titles, Moane and Kuzma were just as happy for each other. 

Senior Day Courtney" I couldn't have been prouder of Courtney winning the 100 breaststroke," Kuzma said "It was an honor to be able to swim in the lane next to her in the finals that night and be next to
her after the race was over. Being able to tell her how happy and proud I was of her in that moment that she won is something I will never forget."

"Seeing Lauren win the 200 breast title was just so amazing," Moane said. "I was in the same race a couple of lanes over from her so I didn't get to watch it unfold, but when I touched the wall and saw that she had won I was over the moon and the first thing I wanted to do was give her the biggest hug. I was so proud of the both of us for accomplishing our goals."

A year later, Kuzma and Moane are back for one final America East Championship Meet. The four-day event runs Feb. 19-22 in Blacksburg, Va. While the conference meet will be their last time as teammates - both Moane and Kuzma are eager to see how their friendship will continue to evolve after Binghamton."

"We always have so much fun together and have many of the same interests," Moane said. " So I'm so excited to see how our friendship can grow even more once the swimming days are behind us."

After their swimming careers at Binghamton are over, Moane and Kuzma will go their separate ways. Moane is finishing up her master's degree in cyber security and plans on entering that career field. Kuzma's goal is to become a nurse and work at a pediatric hospital for children. No matter how far away they are from Binghamton, however, they will always be grateful for their time with the Bearcats' swimming & diving program

"We will miss being surrounded by the team every day and having fun times with them at practices and meets," Kuzma said. "Binghamton swimming & diving has given us the most memorable and exciting years of our lives that we will forever cherish."



 
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