DALLAS (SMU) -- Throughout the rich history of the SMU women's swimming and diving program, 30 women have earned the right to represent their country at the Olympic games, with 19 doing so on multiple occasions. Of those 30, 26 can say they have also earned the highest NCAA status during their time as a Mustang, posting All-America honors.

Assistant coach Nina Rangelova's name can be found on each of those lists, and while training for her third Olympic Games, Rangelova calls SMU'S A.R. Barr pool home.

"To be honest, our head coach Steve Collins was the main reason I wanted to stay in Dallas and continue to train with the team," Rangelova said. "During my years at SMU I posted my best times in many events. I also qualified for the Olympic Games in London as a sophomore, and soon after graduation I qualified for Rio."

Not ready to throw in the towel any time soon, Rangelova doubling as a training partner and mentor to student-athletes doesn't come without its challenges. The transition into a new role has been somewhat difficult for Rangelova, but it is an important role as she serves as a crucial liaison between the swimmers and full-time coaching staff.

A liaison with an extensive list of credentials including individual All-America honors in the 200-yard freestyle, as well as six relay nods, and six individual and 13 conference relay championships. Winning has a different feel for Rangelova these days, though.

"Every meet I go to with the team is a great experience," Rangelova added. "I feel like when I was on the team I was not getting as excited during meets. It was more like I was there to get the job done. Now it is so different, I get so emotional at meets, especially when the results are close and it is up to the last event to the decide the outcome of the whole meet. The feeling of winning like that is just amazing."

The Mustangs are 3-1 in dual action so far this season, and look to repeat as American Athletic Conference champions in February and return to the NCAA Championship in March. Rangelova hopes to help them do so.

Coaching from the next lane over is something that comes naturally, but it's the standing on dry land part that she looks to her mentor Collins for.

"Steve is a great mentor. Over the years he has shown me the importance of the relationship between the athlete and the coach. Both need to motivate each other. One by being present and passionate and the other by showing the right attitude and being ready to do whatever it takes. There needs to be a higher form of trust between the coach and the athlete, which brings a higher motivation."

Beyond her relationship with Collins, she has quickly learned about the relationship with the student-athlete and how to effectively reach current Mustangs.

"Every person is different and one size does not fit all," Rangelova added. "Every student-athlete has their own ways of dealing with situations and training habits, and it's important to discover which of those habits help you improve and encourage them.

"On the other hand, it is important to find out which habits bring them back. One thing might be helpful for one person, but harmful for another. This is why it is important to find the balance and take an individual approach with every person."

Rangelova most recently competed at the European Short Course Championship, placing eighth in the 200-meter freestyle, an event in which she has posted the qualifying standard for Rio. She also has provisional standards in both the 50- and 100-meter distances.