PHOENIX, Arizona, July 3. SAMANTHA Tucker, a five-star prospect from the Class of 2010, begins another series of Swimming World College Recruit Rankings Profiles that will appear on this site in the coming month. Tucker, who is from Austin, Texas, swims for Austin Westlake High and Longhorn Aquatics.
Tucker maintains her profile in the Swimming World College Recruit Rankings powered by Take Your Marks, and would have scored points at the 2009 NCAA Division I Championships. Her time of 1:44.54 in the 200-yard free would have earned her a berth in the B final.
Tucker also would have qualified to compete in the 100-yard free at NCAAs with a 48.53 to her credit. The freestyle specialist also owns U.S. Olympic Trials cuts in the 100-meter free (55.59) and 200-meter free (2:00.41).
What, to this point, is your best moment in the sport and why?
My most memorable moment in my swimming career, thus far, would have to be at the World Youth Championship Meet in Monterrey, Mexico last summer. I had just finished second in the 200 free with a best time of 2:00.41 and I didn't even have enough time to warm down since I had to get my award.
Literally, 10 minutes after touching the wall in the 200, I was at the blocks anchoring for Team USA in the 400 Medley Relay. We were about 2 body lengths behind China right before I dove in for the last leg. I don't know how I didn't pass out, but sheer will pushed me through the water, and I passed the first-place position and won the race with my fastest split ever, 54.5. All of this was on my Dad's birthday.
Walk us through a day of practice:
On days we have doubles, I wake up at 4:21 (no reason for it) and go eat some cereal and head off to 5 a.m. practice at the UT Swim Center. We do pulleys for about half the practice and aerobic/anaerobic swimming the other half. Afterwards, we do 30 min of dryland, usually consisting of medicine ball exercises and pull ups. I can do 6 in a row now! Then, we get to come back in the afternoon and run in the Texas heat. It's AWESOME, let me tell you! We swim for 2 hours after running, and then we all crawl home and eat a lot of dinner and get ready for the next day. Our team is pretty tough.
What is your favorite set?
4x2000s. I don't remember what they were on because my lane did a straight 8000. Why would I enjoy that? Well my two really close friends were in the lane with me, and we all took turns getting really tired, and when one person would start to slow down, the other two would pass and go ahead. This cycle of passing and catching up occurred probably 40 times until we finished. We all laughed the whole time so it wasn't too horrible. Never mind, it was horrible but I always remember it as my favorite set.
What is your least favorite set?
84x100s. Weird number, I know. I think I was 12, and it was holding best average. I was getting faster as the set went on and was feeling really good. I was super pumped up and feeling great about myself until I realized, upon touching the wall on the last one, that the guy in front of me had gotten sick right where I just swam into the wall.
What are your short-term goals?
Make the World Championships team.
What are your long-term goals?
Win NCAA titles and compete in 2012 Olympics
What colleges are you interested in so far?
I'm very interested in Texas, Stanford, Arizona, Auburn, and Cal. They're my top 5.
What has the recruiting process been like so far, now that you are allowed to be called by coaches?
Ahh, I love it! My first call was from Lea Maurer of Stanford. I swear we're the same person. Our conversation was probably 90 percent laughing. But, I love the flattery from all these amazing coaches that have taken an interest in me. I feel so blessed to be getting all this recognition.
Is there anything else interesting that you'd like our readers to know about you? My Favorite Phrase is "That's baller status"
RECRUITS: To make sure we have the most updated information on your recruiting, and to earn the highest star ranking you deserve, please either create a new profile, or request to take over your admin-created account in the Swimming World College Recruit Rankings powered by Take Your Marks. Then make sure to update your profile with your top times. Click here for information on how to do so.
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July 4, 2009 Bravo! Submitted by: fluidg
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of Swimming World Magazine or SwimmingWorldMagazine.com.
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Photo By: Michelle Tucker
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