Parkersburg, W.Va., native and junior swimmer Cy Moser has helped the Bobcats (5-2, 2-2 Mid-American Conference) to its best regular season in Coach Greg Werner's tenure and recently sat down with The Post's Matt O'Donnell to talk superstitions and Speedos.
The Post: If you could participate in any other sport besides swimming, what would it be?
Moser: I was a four-year letterman in tennis, and I ran cross-country a couple years as well. My family has always been a big tennis family. My sister played for the University of Wyoming, my brother currently plays for Shepherd University and my father played for IUP College.
Post: Are you superstitious?
Moser: I have a handful of little superstitions I do behind the block. I wouldn't say my day would be ruined if I didn't get eight slaps on each leg like I do before races. I have a wristband that I wear that I always give a little kiss to before my races.
Post: What does the wristband say?
Moser: Run with Ryan. One of my best friends from high school, who was a runner for the University of Richmond last year, passed away last year. It's kind of like a little spark my memory type thing.
Post: What do you eat before a meet?
Moser: My freshman year before the Kenyon meet, I had French toast. And I had a really good first college meet. Whenever I get the chance, I like to go with French toast. I like to stick with a lot of fluids, fruits and granola bars.
Post: Do you have a nickname?
Moser: The Chud Missile. My dad's name is Gerard Moser and he grew up in Pittsburgh and when he was born, there was a Steeler called Jug Girard and so before he was even talking, his nickname was Jug and he's been Jug his entire life. When he was down visiting, my buddies misunderstood that his name was Chud. Drew Stetson said you look so much like your dad we're going to start calling you Chud. It's been Chud ever since.
Post: If you could go one on one with anyone in a swimming pool, who would it be?
Moser: If there was one person I'd like to swim with, I think I would have to go with Aaron Piersol. He graduated from Texas. He's an Olympic gold medalist. He's a world record holder. He just seems like a real cool guy to hang out with.
Post: What's the best and worst thing about wearing Speedos?
Moser: When you're growing up, I feel like it's one of those things that kept a lot of guys out of swimming. You wear your shorts for as long as you can and then two seconds before you race, you take off your shorts and you're in your Speedos for as little as possible. As you get older it's just one of those things that you almost have a joking pride about.
Post: How do you know if you're in the lead in the pool?
Moser: You aren't supposed to do this, but I do a whole lot of looking around when I'm breathing. Sometimes you don't. I'd say that 95 percent of my races, if I win, I don't know until I look at the board.
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Matt O'Donnell
