I'm always interested in hearing about the USMS demographics, but I couldn't find any information on USMS and college swimming. I was wondering roughly what percentage of US Masters swimmers swam in college and at what level. I also wanted to hear from you where you went, when, and what you loved / hated most about college swimming.
Take his experience and do a complete 180 (except the well off part). My third year was LCM ('92 Olympic Year).
I have never regretted my decision to not swim my senior year.
I swam 4 years at a Division I school. Although I didn't get WAY faster like some of my teammates, I got faster my first 2 years. I always loved the dual meets, the camaraderie and (for awhile) the training, but I had a horrible junior season, 1988, and seriously considered quitting. I realized I was burnt from years and years of heavy distance training (moreso 10th to 12th grades) and really bummed after a horrible conference meet. I had had my sights set on both NCAA and OT cuts, but was far far away.
I talked with parents and then my coach about not swimming my senior year. My coach made me a compromise: train with the 400 IMers for the summer (I was staying in town anyhow as I had changed majors and needed some extra classes) and see what happens. I didn't touch the d-lane that summer and proceeded to swim very well ... still heartbreakingly missed the OT cuts by less than a second in each of the 400 free and 400 IM, but I re-discovered my love for swimming. I came back and had a great senior year.
I'm so glad I stuck with it ... but also glad my major change required me to take an extra semester to finish so I could enjoy one semester as a 'traditional' student. (READ: gained >30 pounds!)
Take his experience and do a complete 180 (except the well off part). My third year was LCM ('92 Olympic Year).
I have never regretted my decision to not swim my senior year.
I swam 4 years at a Division I school. Although I didn't get WAY faster like some of my teammates, I got faster my first 2 years. I always loved the dual meets, the camaraderie and (for awhile) the training, but I had a horrible junior season, 1988, and seriously considered quitting. I realized I was burnt from years and years of heavy distance training (moreso 10th to 12th grades) and really bummed after a horrible conference meet. I had had my sights set on both NCAA and OT cuts, but was far far away.
I talked with parents and then my coach about not swimming my senior year. My coach made me a compromise: train with the 400 IMers for the summer (I was staying in town anyhow as I had changed majors and needed some extra classes) and see what happens. I didn't touch the d-lane that summer and proceeded to swim very well ... still heartbreakingly missed the OT cuts by less than a second in each of the 400 free and 400 IM, but I re-discovered my love for swimming. I came back and had a great senior year.
I'm so glad I stuck with it ... but also glad my major change required me to take an extra semester to finish so I could enjoy one semester as a 'traditional' student. (READ: gained >30 pounds!)
