Dec. 3, 2001

Becca Dawson, known to many as last year's best high school swimmer in Missouri, is upholding her reputation for excellence as she begins her swimming career at MU. By the close of November of her inaugural season as a Tiger, she has already received national attention in the pool. This tiger cub currently holds spots nationally at 29th in the 200 fly and 37th in 100 fly. And to think it almost didn't happen!

Dawson, being from St. Louis, says, "The first time that Coach Hoffer called me I told him that I wasn't interested in coming here because I didn't want to go in state at all. So, I looked at all out-of-state schools, but from my conversations with the coaches I decided to take an official visit here."

And so she came. One might say she saved the best for last. Dawson says, "It ended up being my last visit in the fall. For what I was looking for...both academically and as far as the swimming program is concerned, I absolutely fell in love with the team." She says, "The way they had their outlook on swimming and the coaches perspective on training and the meets...everything ended up fitting and I ended up being here."

And Dawson says that so far, life as a Tiger is pretty good. She enjoys the new challenges of collegiate training and academics. "I like having more responsibility myself. I think I was pretty ready for the college transition after last year. My grades are doing fine right now and swimming is going well. I'm enjoying it."

And although Dawson is making quite a name for herself, she isn't stopping there. She has set serious goals for the remainder of the 2001-2002 season. Dawson says that it is most important to contribute as much as possible during the regular season, do well at conference, and see where it takes her. Dawson says, "A lofty goal that I have is to make NCAA's this year. And so far my 200 fly has improved a lot, so I'm like 2 or 3 seconds off that, which is a possibility."

Only time will tell, but until then, this Tiger cub continues to make a noticeable mark in Missouri swimming.