Oct. 17, 2007
Columbia, Mo. - Welcome to "Q&A with the Captains," a weekly segment that will feature a question-and-answer style interview with one of Mizzou Men's Swimming and Diving's team captains. The 2007-08 captains are junior Jake Hoffmann and seniors Travis Floyd and Joe Wilson.
As captain what do you see as your role on the team this year?
My main role is to focus the intensity and commitment we have. I'm also trying to focus on making ourselves better and to bring the best out of everyone as athletes.
Can you talk about a time when you put this role into action?
I try to help the freshmen out. As a freshman it is hard to get organized and get your priorities taken care of. I try to talk to them and tell them what has worked for me and about my experiences.
Why do you think you were tabbed as a team captain this year?
I think I was chosen because I give my all in the pool everyday and do what is expected of me. I just try to live up to that.
How do you feel about taking on this role as a junior?
I was somewhat surprised because there are a lot of seniors on the team. But I felt really honored when they chose me and want to do my best for them.
You mentioned the newcomers. Can you talk a little bit about how they are coming along?
They're great. They work hard at practice and in the weight room. They take care of themselves in school. The freshmen swam well against Indiana and were not afraid to step up.
How did you feel after the loss to Indiana to open the season?
They are going to be a Top 10 team this year. We're just not there yet, but we swam very well for this time of year. Some guys put up some great times, including Dylan [Lynn] in the 200 free, Travis [Floyd] in the 200 back and Gilad [Kaufman] in the 200 fly. It's a loss but I feel like we've improved and we're in a great place as far as our times go. I think we have a great chance to sneak up on some people this year.
What was the team's mentality heading into the Show Me Showdown the next day?
We obviously wanted to win it because we hosted it. We wanted to put that loss behind us and move forward and take one race at a time.
How good of a feeling was it to bounce back with a win in the Showdown?
It was great. We wanted to show we're the best swimming school in Missouri. It was a pretty good feeling on the whole.
How does this past weekend's results play into the team's attitude heading into Thursday's dual with Texas A&M?
Texas A&M is our biggest swimming rival so we're ready to step up. After coming off those swims against Indiana we might surprise them. We beat A&M my freshman year and last year we were four points away. Anything can happen against them, especially this time of year. Everyone's excited and geared up for the meet.
You guys were very close to beating the Aggies last year? What factors will make this year different?
I think the factors that will help us win are the depth we have and the fact that we're both traveling and swimming on the same day. If we can come in there and start going from the beginning it'll be hard for them to come back.
Who should we look for to do some big things this weekend?
You always have to watch for Dylan. That guy can always do something great. Travis is a very good dual meet swimmer. Of course you have to watch out for Gilad and Martin [Cernansky] too. Those four guys swam the best against Indiana and it will probably carry over against Texas A&M.
What are your thoughts on Friday's Big 12 Relays?
It's just kind of a fun meet. You just get up there and race and don't worry too much.
What do you predict the Mizzou-Texas Tech football score will be this weekend?
It's going to be a high scoring game so I'll go with 41-38 in favor of Mizzou. It will be a close game because both offenses are amazing.