Student-athletes acquire qualities like teamwork, time management, and leadership, contributing to their holistic development. Understanding athletes’ performance histories, genes, environment, and other characteristics is critical for developing talent. The BPSU Swimming team has consistently excelled in swimming competitions, and this study aims to evaluate the key qualities that lead to the success of student-athletes and provide practical insights for their development. This study used a grounded theory approach to understand the qualities that make student- athletes successful. The study involved fourteen participants, including athletes, parents, coaches, a trainer, and officials, and data was collected through focus group discussions and interviews, following the principles of grounded theory methodology. The study identified several themes that describe the talent development experiences and influences of university swimming athletes. These themes include the role of genetics and physical characteristics, environmental opportunities and personal sacrifices, early successes in swimming, challenges faced by swimmers and coping mechanisms, as well as the role of family, coaches, teammates, and school in nurturing positive influences. These factors together contribute to the success and growth of the university’s swimming athletes, highlighting the importance of investigating the combination of experiences and influences in studying talent development. The study also proposes a theory explaining how experiences and influences contribute to achieving swimming excellence and shaping the capacity, skills, values, and emotions of swimming athletes.
