Promising Seniors-To-Be 2007: Sarah Bateman

PHOENIX, Arizona, June 13. SARAH Bateman, who swims for Clay Parnell at Lake Brantley High and Patriot Aquatics in Orlando, Fla, is the next person featured in our Promising Seniors-To-Be series.

As of the June 12 National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA) release of All-American candidates, Bateman owned the fastest 50 free in the country with a time of 22.75. Additionally, she clocked times of 50.50 (100 free), 56.72 (100 back) and 2:04.84 (200 IM) to make the applicant's list in those events.

Bateman, who is looking forward to her senior season, spoke with SwimmingWorldMagazine.com about her career to this point and her future.

Was there a watershed mark in your career that made it clear you had a gift for the sport and could achieve big things?
Yes, last season at our District meet I broke 23 seconds in the 50 free. I really wasn't expecting much going into the race so it really got me excited about my swimming. It has really motivated me to push myself harder and to see what I can achieve.

What type of interaction do you have with your coach when it comes to training? What kind of input do you have?
My coach and I get along pretty well, I trust that he knows what he is doing so I usually just follow what he says.

What are your goals for your senior season?
My main goal for my senior season is to just see how hard I can push myself and see how fast I can go. I don't really like to set specific times to go after, they tend to add a lot more pressure and take my mind off the race itself. I also would really like to win both of my events and set new records at our State meet.

Who has made the biggest impact on your swimming career to this point?
All of my coaches, my family, and definitely the competition, have made the biggest impact on my swimming career to this point. They have all pushed me and kept me motivated through the years and helped me get to where I am today.

Have you verbally committed to any University? If so, which one and why? If not, who is in your top five and why?
No, I haven't committed yet and I haven't narrowed it down to a top 5. I'm still looking at a lot of schools and trying to narrow it down to see where I think I would fit best.

Have you scheduled any official or unofficial visits to any school? If so, where and what type of visits do you have planned?
I haven't scheduled any visits to any schools yet, most of the visits coincide with my high-school season. So I have to sit down with my coach and try and work them out.

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