Dec. 17, 2007

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Welcome to "Q&A With The Captains," a continuing weekly segment that features a question-and-answer style interview with one of Mizzou women's swimming and diving's team captains. This week we sit down with senior co-captain Sarah Menefee.

The women claimed their first Purdue Invite crown last month. What were the biggest factors in accomplishing this feat?

It was an unbelievable meet, and the most fun invite I have ever competed in with Mizzou. From the very beginning we didn't wait. We got up and swam and raced. We supported each other from the minute we got to the meet until the minute we left. Another big part of our success was that the boys stood behind the girls and vice versa. Together as a combined program we really made our mark.

You guys won the meet by nearly 200 points. Did you have any idea this would be the outcome heading into the weekend?

I didn't. We went in knowing we wanted to race to win, but I don't think we knew how much power we had behind us until we got up and started to race. We also had more spirit than anyone else at the meet. Until the meet started and we were all cheering for each other we just didn't know how much strength we had. I think I knew we could do well, but I didn't know we'd do that well.

What is something funny that happened on the trip?

We had the "rock star" bus. The whole team got to experience it, but the seniors did more. It was a fun opportunity to get to sit back and relax, even more so than on a regular bus setting. We got to watch movies together and hang out. It was a cool incentive.

You guys have a break from competition until mid-January. What kinds of things is the team concentrating on now to stay focused on what is to come in 2008?

A big focus this week was academics, but with finals coming to an end we'll be going through a really hard training cycle. Throughout this whole period we know that to get better we have to get away from the meets and focus on getting the work done. I think that we're focusing more now, even when it's hard and tiring. We are also trying to make sure to stay positive. We have to make sure to stay behind each other and not let it get negative. We've got to keep it energetic and positive. The coaches have that focus as well so they're good about making sure to stay positive with us.

With this being finals week, how did you balance the difficulties associated with the end of the semester with practice and everything else that comes along with being a member of the team?

To be honest, I was done with finals last week. But, in general, something I have always gone by is balancing doesn't start during finals week; it begins the day school starts in August. I just make sure not to panic and remember that I worked hard the entire semester in school. So I just try to be consistent. I don't rush anything, but get what I need to get done in the pool and also in school.

What was your most difficult final exam this semester?

I'm broadcast journalism so this semester I took some journalism electives. I think my hardest exam, or class in general, was history of photojournalism. I loved the class. It was just challenging to learn about the techniques and the great photographers from a long time ago. But overall, I was lucky and my semester was not particularly hard.

The team remained at No. 18 in the latest College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Top 25 Poll. What are your thoughts on the ranking?

I think we had a strong showing at Purdue. I know that they look at dual meets the most, but I think they do look at invites quite a bit as well. We showed that we really are a top contender in the nation at Purdue. I'm excited for the remainder of the year. We have a lot of good meets coming up in January after a lot of training. Staying 18th shows that we're consistent and that we're willing to do what we need to do to stay at the top.

The men are ranked 19th in the latest CSCAA poll, which marks the first time in school history that both the men's and women's programs have been ranked among the nation's top-20. What does this mean for Mizzou swimming and diving?

I think it just goes to show how much our program is changing and is continuing to change. My freshman year our main goal was to stay in the top-25, and now we're wanting to get to top-15 and stay top-20. This success shows the progression of using the new facility, the great coaching staff and getting great recruits. It's just this attitude that the team is building up and getting better and better.

Can you describe your thoughts on what may easily be one of the most successful opening portions of a season in program history?

I think we did an excellent job this first semester, but my goal is to remain ready for the rest of the season and not lose any of that momentum. We had so many meets in a row that we got on a roll of getting ready to go each weekend. So now that we're taking somewhat of a break from meets, it's important to keep the team building going and stay together. We're focusing on supporting one another so that we can transfer the success during the first half to the second half.

Where does the team stand today as compared to the beginning of the season?

We did a great job of getting to know one another at the beginning of the season. But I think as the months have gone on we've only become closer because we've battled with other teams so much. We have been able to get up and take the risk and achieve. I think the only reason we were able to do it as well as we did is because we got to know each other at the beginning and we were willing to start to trust one another.

Are you excited for the team's training trip in January?

I am. We went to Phoenix my freshman year and we're planning some fun activities in addition to our hard training. I'm excited not only because it's a good training opportunity in a different setting, but also because it's a great opportunity to room with some people that you don't get to spend too much time with on a regular basis. The rooms are mixed up between the different classes. In the past we've stayed in a bigger suite so you can make food in your room and that kind of thing. It's definitely a hard training cycle but at the same time we'll have a lot of off time during the day to get to chat with one another and get to see what else is going on in each other's lives. I think we're going to try to go to a Phoenix Suns game, go out to eat to a nice place one night and see a movie. We'll be doing the same things we do here but kind of giving it a new atmosphere, which is kind of exciting.

What are your plans for the upcoming holiday?

I'll go back home to Louisville, Ky., and spend time with my family. I'm also looking forward to seeing some friends from high school that weren't home for Thanksgiving.

What are the top three things on your Christmas list?

To be honest, I told my parents that I really don't need anything. I'm just looking for a really peaceful and relaxing break. There's really nothing under the tree that I need. I'd just like to go home, hang out with my dog and see some of my friends.