Feb. 22, 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 women's swimming and diving's team captains. This week we sit down with junior co-captain Lori Halvorson.
Next up for the team is the Big 12 Championships in Austin. What is the mood among you and your teammates now that the meet is only a week away?
Everyone is just really excited. We've done all the work over the course of the season and now we have to let our hard work pan out. The mood is a lot more relaxed than last year, which always helps.
What do you tell a freshman who isn't sure what to expect?
I think the main thing is to tell them to relax and have fun. When people get too stressed they typically swim worse than they would otherwise.
Is there anything you in particular will be focusing on to prepare for conference?
At this point I'm just trying to have fun with everything. As long as I have fun, the times and swims will be there. This not only applies to me, but the rest of the team as well.
The team has knocked off each of its six opponents in 2008. How big of a factor will this momentum be for the team heading into Austin?
I think we're aiming a lot higher this year. It's always been about the dual with Kansas, but this year we're looking at the teams ranked higher than us. We're just going to get up and race the big dogs.
You guys finished fourth at conference last year behind third-place and archrival Kansas. How did it feel to be edged by the Jayhawks?
It was really disappointing and discouraging. I don't think a lot of people swam as fast as they wanted to. We did have a few swimmers who swam out of the their minds, but I think the majority of the team was disappointed. We've connected so well as a team from the beginning this year, and I feel very confident going into conference.
What will be different this time around?
I just think the bond has a lot to do with it. We connected a lot earlier on as a team this year. The whole mindset of the team is so much more positive. Everyone is excited and ready to have a fun five-day meet. I think that'll motivate everyone to have better swims.
Does thinking about it bring about a lot of pressure?
Not so much. As an underclassmen I got a little stressed out, but now I'm excited and having a lot of fun.
What are your goals for conference this year?
I would really like to see our team get second at conference. I'd also like to get some relays and individuals to NCAAs.
You swam in the 100 and 200 free and 200 IM at this weekend's Missouri Grand Prix. What did you do differently to train for a long-course event?
A lot of summer training is long course. I don't know if it's much different from short course other than not focusing as much on turns. It's a lot about endurance, too.
What was it like swimming in the same events as Olympians Natalie Coughlin and Katie Hoff?
It's really exciting and a little intimidating. I mean, you could be pushing off the wall after the first 50 and they could be 10 seconds in front of you. At the same time, those are the most exciting races. It pumps me up a lot more to swim against swimmers going that fast.
Were you pleased with your results in the races?
No one is really all that rested for the Grand Prix, but it's kind of a `get up and swim fast' kind of thing. I would have been satisfied regardless, but I'm happy with how things played out.
Do you have a swimming celebrity?
I really like watching Aaron Peirsol swim. He's a backstroker from Texas. He seems really cool outside the pool and very focused and determined in the pool. He's fun to watch and always comes up with something you wouldn't expect in a race.
What does the Missouri Grand Prix do for the program and for Mizzou?
It's huge. The meet draws a lot of press as well as fans that don't really keep up with swimming all that much. It is not only great for our program or the university, but for the sport in general. It is really exciting, especially for Columbia.
Do you have any predictions for conference?
I think we'll come out in second place. I also hope the team comes home with a lot of people going to NCAAs. I'd say the guys could definitely finish second as well. They can beat Texas A&M even more than they think they can. I think they'll come home with some guys and relays going to NCAAs.