College Recruit Rankings Profile: Four-Star Jaime Malandra, Class of 2009

PHOENIX, Arizona, June 16. JAIME Malandra, a four-star recruit from the Class of 2009, checks in with our next Swimming World College Recruit Rankings Profile feature. Malandra, who calls Allentown, Pa., home, swims for Erik Posegay at both Parkland H.S. and Parkland Aquatic Club.

Malandra has chosen to keep our readers updated on her career via her profile in the Swimming World College Recruit Rankings powered by Take Your Marks.

Malandra already owns a pair of NCAA Division I B cuts with times of 1:48.18 in the 200-yard free and 4:48.43 in the 500-yard free.

Where and when did you start swimming?
I began swimming at age 12 for a summer league team called Westwood Heights. I still enjoy swimming with them now. I later joined the Parkland Aquatic Club, and began swimming year round when I was 14.

Who would you name as the most influential person and coach in your swimming career?
I would say that the most influential person I have encountered in my swimming career is my coach, Erik Posegay. This year, he was diagnosed with cancer. Although it ran him down and must have been unbearably draining, he still managed to make every one of our practices. He gave everything he had to the sport and his swimmers. He put his swimmers before himself, and was there to push us everyday. His dedication really motivated me and gave me a new perspective. My coach also happens to be the best coach I've ever had. He opened my eyes to a potential I never knew I had and I owe my success to him.

What, to this point, is your best moment in the sport and why?
I love the high school state meets! My freshman year, I was lucky enough to be a part of a team with a bunch of great girls. Everyone dropped a lot of time, and we ended up winning the 2006 state title! I will never forget how happy I was to be a part of something so special. Anytime I get discouraged with swimming, I think back to the great times our team had at that state meets and realize that it's worth it.

Walk us through a day of practice:
My team has morning practices two times a week for an hour and fifteen minutes. These workouts usually consist of a 4,000-4,500 yard pull set or an endurance kick set. We have practice everyday after school from 3:15-6:15. Our team is divided into three different practice groups (sprint, IM, and distance). I am in the distance group and our workouts usually range from 8,000-10,000 yards including warm up, an endurance main set, a kick set and warm down. After we're finished in the pool, we head over to the weight room or to a dryland workout to strengthen our core.

What is your favorite set?
I love when my coach throws a sprint set up on the board because it is different than the long endurance sets I am used to. I enjoy changing it up a little bit, and getting to work on my speed or other strokes. Also, although we've kind of deviated from this set, we used to do partner relays. It was a great way to experience the competitive atmosphere of racing all while adding the excitement of being a part of a team.

What is your least favorite set?
I'd say that my least favorite sets are hypoxic sets where you're expected to kick a 25 or a 50 underwater without taking a breath. It's a little uncomfortable. I'm also not a huge fan of the long, repetitive distance sets that last an hour.

What are your short-term goals?
I'm training to make an Olympic Trials Cut in the 200, 400 or 800 free by the end of the summer. I just swam in the Swimvitational in Omaha, and missed the 400 free cut by .16. That motivated me even more to continue to work hard and reach my goal. I'm also working on the college recruiting process now, so I'd like to put a lot of focus on choosing the right school.

What are your long-term goals?
My long term goals are primarily focused on having a good experience on a college swim team. I hope to be a good addition and help my team and teammates to reach our goals.

You list quite a few colleges of interest in your profile. What are some of the similarities between them that have drawn your attention?
All of the universities I have listed offer great swimming programs and are very commendable for their academics. They all seem to be wonderful schools and most offer the fields of education I am looking into. I am awful at making decisions, so this college recruiting process is going to be incredibly difficult. Most of the schools I am considering are located in the south or the Midwest. I really like the kind and laidback environment down there. I am also looking at some Catholic schools like Notre Dame.

To be eligible to be featured in this series, please make sure you 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. Click here for information on how to do so.

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