QUOTES FROM:
Brittany MacLean, Georgia, 1650-yard freestyle champion
Brooklyn Snodgrass, Indiana, 200-yard backstroke champion
Margo Greer, Arizona, 100-yard freestyle champion
Emma Reaney, Notre Dame, 200-yard breaststroke champion
Cammile Adams, Texas A&M, 200-yard butterfly
Haley Ishimatsu, Southern Cal, platform diving champion
Shannon Vreeland, member of Georgia’s NCAA Championship team
Laura Ryan, member of Georgia’s NCAA Championship team
Brittany MacLean, Sophomore, Georgia
On her win in the 1650-yard freestyle…
Honestly, it’s all my teammates and coaches. I mean, working under Harvey Humphries, Jack Bauerle, all of them, has been probably the best experience of my life. Last year, when I wasn’t at my potential and I was struggling a little bit, they all took it upon themselves to kind of pump me up and keep me in the mix so I felt like I was still a part of the team. I owe a lot to them. That’s why I wanted to come back and have a really good year this year.
On if she had a time in mind for her swim…
No. To be honest, I haven’t really been setting goal times because this is my first year really in shape, swimming yards, so I’m just trying to get in there and swim a great race (so) that I can make my team proud and myself proud.
Brooklyn Snodgrass, Sophomore, Indiana
On how surprised she was to win the event…
I can’t really describe it. I looked at the clock and I almost didn’t believe it. I had to take a second look before it kind of settled in.
On how she kept her composure when the race got close at the end…
I honestly didn’t see anyone. I was just focusing on my own race. I had a plan and I just did it and it paid off.
Margo Greer, Senior, Arizona
On the importance of defending her NCAA title as a senior…
I’m really at a loss for words right now, to be honest. It’s been a really long season and I’m just really glad it ended like that.
On if the race was won with her fast start…
You know, I’m a 50 freestyler so I like to just take it out and see what happens. That’s kind of just what I’ve always done. That’s my strong part. That’s just what I always do.
Emma Reaney, Junior, Notre Dame
On making history for Notre Dame wwimming and breaking her own record…
I am just so proud I can do this for the University of Notre Dame because I am obsessed with my school. I don’t even think anyone would understand. I don’t know right now. It’s going to take a while to soak this one in.
On her great year this year…
Well, it’s been a couple years coming. Brian is an amazing coach and he really knows what he’s doing. I’ve basically just put all my trust into him and it’s been working. This year has been a long time coming.
Cammile Adams, Senior, Texas A&M
On her thoughts going into the final turn of the race…
I just thought I wanted to land that turn and just put my head down. I really just wanted to come away with a win. It would have been nice to be a little bit faster but I’m really proud of myself.
On what this victory means as her collegiate career ends…
It really means so much to me to represent Texas A&M and come away with just so many memories. I was thinking about it before I took a nap today, just so much fun, pure fun, I’ve had with the senior class. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.
Haley Ishimatsu, Senior, Southern Cal
On her last dive after a disappointing fourth dive…
My fourth dive has always been a little bit shaky. It’s not exactly very consistent. But that last dive, I knew I could do it well. It’s a great finisher and I know I can do it. So, that was good.
On what it means to be congratulated on her win by the Trojan swimmers…
I still have one more year of eligibility. But it feels great to be able to contribute so much to the team and to know that they support me and know that I can still support them.
Shannon Vreeland, Senior, Georgia
On how Georgia found a way to win the championship…
We really had people step up in places where they needed to. Laura (Ryan) won two diving boards and Brittany MacLean won two individual events and we had a freshman really come out and win the 50 freestyle. It was just kind of incredible that even when we don’t win relays, we were always consistently in the top, you know, in the running for it. Just having people step up in those certain places where we needed them to. We might not have won by winning big events but we definitely won with the depth of our team. I think that’s really exciting when everybody can play a role in it.
Laura Ryan, Senior, Georgia
On being the top individual scorer for the Bulldogs and doing it in her home state…
I mean, all I can say is this feels amazing. Every single person on this team did exactly what they needed to do to win. I’m just so proud to be a part of this. Having every single one behind me and me being behind all of them, that’s what it took to win. I’m just so happy to be a part of this.
I’d like to know what Missy thinks of her 100 free.
I expected a much faster time from her.
Perhaps she hasn’t recovered very well from her huge 200 free races in individual and in the relay. I don’t know. The 500 free prelims and final on day 1 take much energy as well. The mid-distance training she does all year is very useful for her 200 free but doesn’t help her 100 free. Anyway, she will never be a 100 free gold contender as long as she doesn’t train on sprint 24/7 all year and swim as fresh as her opponents. Perhaps after 2020, older, she will focus exclusively on sprint to finish her career.
I don’t… Read more »