Q–If I could beat any swimmer in a race . . .
A–I’d love to beat Matt Grevers, who graduated (from Lake Forest) last year. He set three individual state records and came close to national records. That would be cool.
Q–What would a state championship mean?
A–Our three-month season builds into that one state meet and those 20- or 45- or 50-second races. It’s basically the culmination of all those hours of training. To me a state championship is the long-lasting payoff for everything you’ve worked for.
Q–Most embarrassing swimming moment?
A–When I was about 14, I was in the 100 butterfly, dove in and came up swimming freestyle. I stopped about halfway down the pool because I was wondering why I was so far ahead of people. I started doing butterfly halfway through the race. When I finished and looked up, my parents and coaches and the people were just laughing. I figured I was done. The kid in the lane next to me got DQ’d and I won the event. I don’t know how that one worked out the way it did.
Q–Pick your trilogy: “The Matrix” or “Lord of the Rings.”
A–I’m a big fan of both of them. I think “The Matrix” has more interesting new ideas, and it’s a little more intriguing.
Q–Finish this sentence: Divers are . . .
A–Part of the team, too.
Q–All I want for Christmas is . . .
A–No swim practice. I could use a day off.
Q–Favorite pig-out food?
A–I love Chinese food. They give you so much of that stuff. You can just sit there and eat forever.
Q–The best thing about 6:30 a.m. practices is . . .
A–That they don’t start at 6 a.m.
