Feb. 5, 2008
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 men's swimming and diving's team captains. This week we sit down with junior co-captain Jake Hoffmann.
Other than a tough loss to Penn State, the team has won each of its meets convincingly to open up the second half of the season. To what do you attribute the team's success so far in 2008?
Our team has done an amazing job of coming together and bringing a positive energy to the pool this year. We were the loudest team by far at the Pittsburgh meet and by the second day you could tell that the other teams were taking notice of it.
Did the fact that Saturday's match up with Iowa was `Senior Day' play much of a factor in your head going into the meet?
Well, my goal going into every dual meet is to just do my best and put our team in a position to win. I was a little sad and distracted by the ceremony for the seniors before the meet, but once we got going I really refocused on helping my team win.
How did it feel to be honored prior to the meet?
It was a mixture of feelings. I was happy and excited that I've come this far, but the thought that it was going to be the last time that I would ever compete in our pool as an MU Tiger was really sad.
What were your thoughts after the final race had ended?
I was glad that all of us seniors could finish out our home meet careers here with a victory. I really cannot say enough about how tough my teammates are. It obviously felt great to go out on a win, but as great as my fellow seniors are we could not have done it with out the help of our lower classmen. I really feel like this is the best team I have ever had the privilege to be a part of.
Most people have an idea of what goes into scouting sports like basketball and football, but what all goes into scouting a team when it comes to swimming?
It's all about matchups. It really isn't that much different from football or basketball. We are still trying to utilize our strengths and exploit other teams' weaknesses. We knew going into the Penn State dual that they had some guys that we would have problems matching up with. In situations like that you have to really utilize your depth. Unfortunately, they got some touches on us. Our depth didn't come through for us like we would have wanted it to and they won the meet.
Given that you know exactly who you're up against, what kinds of things do you keep in mind when heading into a race?
The best advice I ever received was that you can't control what anyone else is going to do. You can only control yourself. So, I don't really worry about what my competitors have gone or what they are capable of going. In any given dual meet it's just who wants it more, so I just get in there and race.
What kinds of things, both mentally and physically, is the team focusing on heading into the final stretch of the season?
Maintaining our focus is a big one for this time of the year. As our practices become easier you find your energy levels rise considerably and we need to conserve that energy. Also, staying healthy. This is the worst time to get sick, so we try to take care of our bodies in the right way.
Is there anything you, in particular, are focusing on at this point in the season?
I am just trying to have as much fun as possible, as it pertains to swimming.
How much would you say you think about conference?
I honestly do not think about conference at all. I'm trying to keep my stress levels down and am just enjoying the final leg of my seventeen-year swimming career.