Before They Swam…

Feature by Kristen Heiss

COLLEGE STATION, Texas, December 11. NATIONAL Team members Elaine Breeden, Scott Spann, Caroline Burckle and Nick Thoman have all found success in the sport of swimming. Elaine, Scott and Caroline were members of the 2008 Olympic Team, and Nick Thoman is currently ranked second in the world in the 100 backstroke over the long course. But, these National Team members were not always single-sport athletes: all of these swimmers tried their hands at other sports before deciding that the pool is where they belong.

Elaine Breeden tried several different sports, including equestrian, diving, volleyball, tennis, and gymnastics, before settling with swimming. Although Elaine did not find that equestrian suited her very well, it certainly left an impression on her.

"The only memorable award I ever received in another sport came from a Christmas-themed horse show I competed in when I was about 8. I ended up tying for last place with the Santa who sat in the middle of the ring, and that was the last time I got on a horse."

After calling it quits with the equestrian, Elaine focused solely on swimming starting at about the age of 10.

"I didn't have enough time to do all of them [the other sports] and because I was so competitive, I had a tendency to get hurt in contact sports."

While Scott Spann did not test his equestrian skills when he was younger, he did "dabbled" in several different sports. Scott found the most success in baseball and was named to the All-Star baseball team several times as a pitcher and short-stop player.

"I went to camps for basketball, golf, and volleyball. I played organized soccer for a couple of years, but was mainly a baseball player. "

Scott's decision to focus on swimming came at an early age when Scott broke the 10 and under National Age Group Record in the 100 breaststroke, and Randy Reese moved to Austin. Realizing that Reese would require more "dedication" from his athletes, Scott quit his baseball career to swim.

Regarding his choice to swim, Scott says, "I really had no choice when it came down to it. I like sports where it is rare that ‘luck' prevails. In swimming, you get what you deserve, relative to your goals."

Caroline 13also tried her hand at other sports growing up, running cross county and playing tennis when she was younger. Cross-country proved to be a sport where Caroline found success, and she placed third at the state meet every year in elementary school. After making junior cuts in swimming at the age of 13, Caroline shifted her focus away from running and towards the pool.

"I chose swimming because it was fun and I had real fun friends that I loved to train with every day. It came naturally to me and was a challenge at the same time, so it kept me on my toes!"

While Scott and Caroline eventually had to choose which sport they would pursue, for Nick , swimming was always his priority. Like Caroline, Nick ran cross country and also played soccer, baseball, basketball. Although he tried several sports, swimming was always his primary activity.

"Swimming was always my major focus, even when I was doing the other sports. They [the other sports] were more hobbies, with swimming being the one that I always went back to."

For Nick, swimming was the sport that came most naturally to him. "I have always loved being in the water, and swimming has always been the most fun sport for me. I always felt a little out of place in the other ones, and more at home in the water."

While Elaine, Scott, Caroline, and Nick experimented with several different sports when they were younger, it is the pool that they now call home, and their choice to stick with swimming has proved to be rewarding for all of them.

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