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Spotlight Swimmer: Emily O'Brien |
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Joyce Mulcahy Jones
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Friday, 29 February 2008 |
 While some teenagers and kids are home watching TV, playing video games or being couch potatoes, other kids and teens are at the swimming pool. This is the case for Lansing's Emily O'Brien (age 14). Emily has been named the LCATS Swim Club's 'Spotlight Swimmer' by the coaches of the LCATS Swim Club.
At a recent swim meet in Albany (Region 1), Emily recorded a blistering time of 59.57 in the 100 butterfly event. Her previous personal-best time was 1:00.22. According to Coach Reed Dewey, "Emily's time is huge. She now has a 'AAAA time' which means she is one of the fastest 14-year-old girls doing the butterfly in the country!"
In another event, the 50 freestyle, Emily tied another swimmer with the
time of 25.92. She then had to do a 'swim off' to determine which
swimmer could advance to the finals. This was the first time she has
experienced this in competition. When asked about this, Emily said,
"I thought it was exciting because it meant that I had another chance
to get into the finals." She won the swim off with a time of 25.41.
Her time in the finals was 25.73. Emily's previous best time was a
26.47 in the 50 freestyle.
I sat down for an interview with this swimming teen and found that Emily has a fresh and positive outlook about her swimming and life in Lansing.
Lansing Star: Emily, what is your 'favorite event' to swim and why?
Emily O'Brien: The 100 butterfly is my favorite because I have the most fun doing it and it is one of my best strokes. My turns could use some work. I had a good start in the region 1 meet but sometimes my starts need work, too.
LS: What is your 'least favorite event' to swim and why?
EO: It is a tie between the 200 backstroke and the 1650 freestyle. The backstroke is challenging for me and the length of the 1650 freestyle bores me.
LS: What is your 'favorite stroke' to swim and why?
EO: I love the butterfly because it is my best stroke and you usually like the one you do the best. Many people think the butterfly is the hardest stroke, but once you get the right tempo and rhythm down, it is not that hard a stroke to do!
LS: What is your 'least favorite stroke' to swim and why?
EO: That would be the backstroke and the breaststroke. It depends on which one I am struggling with at the time. Currently, it is the breaststroke but I am working on my form.
LS: What do you think of your coaches (Bob Terry and Reed Dewey)?
EO: I love my coaches because they teach us to do the right thing. We moved to Lansing from Bar Harbor, Maine. My sisters swim, too, and all of us have had our times drop. We are doing a lot more and practice longer. Sometimes I feel like I would like to do something else, but once I get to practice (even at 6:00 a.m.), it is a joy to be there! I also really enjoy the friendships I've made.
LS: Do you have certain goals you are working on?
EO: I want to make Junior Nationals by age 16; I am 14 now. I also want to go to Speedos either this season or next. (Emily needs a qualifying time of 59.19; her time is now 59.57 in the 100 butterfly).
LS: Do you pick your own events to swim in for LCATS?
EO: My coaches usually pick which events they want me to swim. Sometimes I try to pick them and then I let the coaches advise me or change them.
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