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.
I got the opportunity to attend my college choice based on academics, and not athletics. Our team was usually the bottom of a small mid-major conference, but that was okay with me. Not being the most athletically gifted swimmer, I walked onto the team my freshman year. There were several traditions on our team, such as all of the freshman getting last choice of events at the dual meets. I will never forget having to swim the 1000 free in a dual meet (to me, the 200 was way to long!) and crying after the race because it was the most painful thing I had endured at the age of 18. Overall, I absolutely loved and hated it at the same time. Our coach pushed us incredibly hard, had us doing all of this crazy dryland stuff that I had never done before, and just basically working us like nothing we had ever experience before. I remember the first time I ever accomplished some crazy fast interval repeats of 100s and 200s that I never thought I could! Having to juggle going to class and practice twice a day really made me realize how easy "other" college students had it. Luckily I was a sprinter, so my practices were extra easy and did not tire me out at all :laugh2:
I loved swimming, but my college major did not allow for me as much time as I wanted to for extra activities, so I gave it up after a frustrating sophomore year. I have never regretted that decision and I still swim because I love it.
I got the opportunity to attend my college choice based on academics, and not athletics. Our team was usually the bottom of a small mid-major conference, but that was okay with me. Not being the most athletically gifted swimmer, I walked onto the team my freshman year. There were several traditions on our team, such as all of the freshman getting last choice of events at the dual meets. I will never forget having to swim the 1000 free in a dual meet (to me, the 200 was way to long!) and crying after the race because it was the most painful thing I had endured at the age of 18. Overall, I absolutely loved and hated it at the same time. Our coach pushed us incredibly hard, had us doing all of this crazy dryland stuff that I had never done before, and just basically working us like nothing we had ever experience before. I remember the first time I ever accomplished some crazy fast interval repeats of 100s and 200s that I never thought I could! Having to juggle going to class and practice twice a day really made me realize how easy "other" college students had it. Luckily I was a sprinter, so my practices were extra easy and did not tire me out at all :laugh2:
I loved swimming, but my college major did not allow for me as much time as I wanted to for extra activities, so I gave it up after a frustrating sophomore year. I have never regretted that decision and I still swim because I love it.
