What are your expectations/goals for this season?
This season I’m really focusing on personal goals. I want to improve my own personal times and also become a better all around athlete by bettering my weaker events. Namely, I want to beat my 100 fly time from high school and hopefully put my name on the record board in the process.
How did you approach this season differently?
Instead of looking to beat other swimmers, I’m looking to better myself. I’m racing my own personal records and not caring what others expectations are. It has really relieved me from a lot of the mental stress associated with the sport.
How much have you seen yourself develop both mentally and physically in the offseason?
I trained everything but swimming this off season, namely weight training, running and biking. I feel this has really help round out myself athletically and gave me a huge mental break from swimming. So far its been working out pretty well.
Do you see the same with the overall team?
Everyone has there own approaches to the off season but everyone really takes advantage to work on their own personal goals. Most of the team will work on increasing strength or endurance by training other sports knowing it will eventually bleed into their swimming abilities.
Do you run into any complications when balancing your schoolwork with your sports schedule?
I find swimming actually helps my school work. It puts me on a rigid schedule that I find easy to adhere too. Without it, my school work is thrown around more randomly.
Do you feel pressure to repeat any success your team had last season?
No. Last season our team succeeded as a whole in the conference, but many of my teamates, including myself, showed little personal improvement. This year everyone attitudes are completely different. We are supporting each other in our own personal battles which in turn gives the team a much closer relationship.
What are you looking to improve about your overall game?
I’m really focusing on my weak point and working with coach to better understand what I exactly need to work on. Where my stroke falls apart, where I lose power, and what slowing me down are all thing I’m looking at in all of my races.
What are you doing to make those improvements?
Im toying with my strokes all practice. Tring to figure out why I feel good somedays as opposed to others, and understanding what I need to do to make everyday a good day.
What do you feel your personal strengths are?
My attitude has improved alot. I’m looking to have fun out there and that makes all the difference.
If all goes well, how far do you see your team going this season?
We have second place in a lock. Albright has just a tad to many numbers on us, so were all going after personal and team records. Look to see the score board rewritten after this season.