Despite injuring her toe during a water polo game two weeks ago, Ohio swimmer Becky McGaughey is training hard for next season, her last as a Bobcat.
A goal got pushed over my foot and took my toe back with it
McGaughey said.
She was in bed for three days and just started walking on it but was back in the pool for the first time Tuesday.
Prior to the injury, McGaughey had a successful showing this winter, winning seven individual events during the regular season. At the Mid-American Conference Championships, she won the 200-freestyle (1:50.85) and was sixth in the 100-freestyle (52.20). Both were career-best times for her. She was also a member of the winning 400-and 800-freestyle relays.
McGaughey, a first team All-MAC selection, posted the fastest 200-freestyle time on the team this year.
Surprisingly, McGaughey was not always a swimmer. She participated in other sports when she was younger and did not pick up swimming until her freshman year of high school.
I started kind of late for a swimmer she said. A lot of swimmers start when they are eight.
She joined a team because her friends were swimming and, luckily for Ohio, kept with the sport.
It started taking up a lot of time because we had practice every day and I just had to drop my other activities
she said.
Freestyle has not always been her best stroke.
I started out as a backstroker
but it is funny because it is my worst stroke now
she said.
As McGaughey gets back into training for next year, she would still like to improve on her freestyle performances.
I had a really great year
and I was really excited
but I don't think that I have reached my potential and so that makes me really excited about next season to see what I can do
McGaughey said. It's my senior year
and I am really hoping to put everything into my practices and get the most out of it and try to end on a really good note.
As a co-captain next year, she has goals for the team in and out of the pool. With many new swimmers next year, it will be hard to build team unity and work as a team, she said.
That will be my biggest goal and challenge
McGaughey said. Jessica (Waites)
