#NationalTeamNewbie: Q&A with Maxime Rooney

maxime-rooney-2015-fina-world-juniors-1 (2)
Photo Courtesy: Singapore Swimming Federation

By Peter Baugh, Swimming World College Intern

At age 17, Maxime Rooney is the youngest member of the male U.S. National Team. The Florida commit competed at the Junior World Championships this summer and made the national team in the 200-meter freestyle. Rooney is from Livermore, California and competes for the Pleasanton Seahawks club team.

Swimming World recently had the chance to catch up with Rooney…

SW: What was your reaction when you found out you were on the officially on the national team?

I was really, really excited. My coach Steve Morsilli and I, we had a three-part goal this summer. The first goal was to get on the National Junior team again. We did that. And then I made the Junior World Championship team. That was my second goal. And then my third goal was to make the National team and I was fortunate enough to do that and I was just so happy with the time that I swam at Nationals this year.

SW: Didn’t you also go a sub-49 100-meter freestyle at Junior World Championships?

Yes sir, I was 48.87 in the finals. I took second place to Kyle Chalmers (of Australia). And that time would have seeded me tied with Michael Chadwick for the third spot on the national team.

SW: Did you expect to make the national team?

Not at all. It was the third goal and I told my coach, ‘If it happens, it happens.’ We were just really surprised and happy with the time, to be honest. It was something that we wanted and that time just was icing on the cake for the season. We were happy with it.

SW: When you swam that time did you know that was going to get you on the national team?

I looked at the time that I needed to get on the national team after the morning swim (at U.S. Nationals) … I was looking at the times from World Championships this year and I saw what I needed to go. I prayed on it in between prelims and finals, got some good rest, stretched a little bit. I warmed up well and just got behind the blocks and just tried not to think anymore and just did it.

SW: You were third on the team behind Ryan Lochte and Conor Dwyer, right?

Yeah. Ryan Lochte was a 1:45, Conor Dwyer was a 1:46 and then I had a 1:47.10 and then Zane Grothe is at 1:47.11.

max-rooney-200-freestyle-

Photo Courtesy: Peter Bick

SW: Walk me through your swim at Nationals.

I swam it at Santa Clara Grand Prix and I was watching all the top swimmers. At that meet, Connor Jaeger won it and he went 1:48. I was looking where everyone was at the 150 and what they were doing in the last 50. And then I was looking at the WUGs (World University Games) results this year. I saw Reed Malone swim and Clay Youngquist … and just kind of seeing what I needed to be out at the 150 and what I needed to come home in … I’ve been working a lot of stroke this season with my coach. And so all those different factors came into play at Nationals. And, so, my race strategy at Nationals was the first hundred I wanted to have a really light kick, the second 50 I wanted to build it, good walls … I wanted to hit the third 50 a lot harder and the fourth 50 just bring home whatever I had left.

SW: Will you swim any meets with Team USA this year?

That’s a great question. I don’t think I will. I am going to the Doha World Cup with my club team and I think that’s the only meet where it’ll say I’m representing the U.S., which I am representing the U.S. but I’ll be going with my club team … I don’t know if I’m going to get invited to Duel in the Pool yet because I think those times are based on short course season. I’m not too sure. If I do get invited, that’d be pretty cool and I’d just have to talk it over with my coach.

SW: Are you better short course or long course?

I really like long course just because you are swimming a little more so you actually get time to work into your stroke. But short course, I’m working on it right now, just trying to work on my walls and my underwaters.

SW: How does it feel to be the youngest member of the national team?

I had a feeling this question was going to come up so I thought about it a little bit. I remember when I was younger, one of my senior teammates, he’s in college right now, he told me, ‘once you get at a certain level, age doesn’t matter anymore.’ And that’s how I want to look at it. Yes, I’m the youngest, but we’re all ultimately training in a similar way. We’re all doing the same things, working hard, putting in the time in the pool and out of the pool, and so age doesn’t really matter. They’re older than me, they probably have more experience, but I guess I bring the youth.

SW: Tell me about your experience in Singapore this summer.

It was amazing. It was the first time I’ve represented Team U.S.A. I was really happy with my results. I got a couple best times, I was able to swim a lot of relays and those were probably my favorite races.

SW: Is the Olympic team a goal for you?

I think it’s a goal for everyone, but personally I just like to think of best times first. And if my times make it on the team, then great. But if I make myself better, my stroke better, my time better, then that’s what’s going to make me happy. That’s what I’m going to be proud of, and I think teams are going to be a bonus.

SW: Do you have a time goal that you’re willing to share for the 200-meter freestyle or 100-meter freestyle?

I have a time goal, but I’m not willing to share it. I’m sorry.

SW: Tell me about your decision to go to Florida for college.

I verbally committed to the University of Florida in February. It was really early but I couldn’t be more excited.

SW: Is there anything you’d like to add?

Just a big thank you to all my coaches that I’ve had before, my mom, my dad. My mom for making me the best food, the best diet, and for driving me around everywhere and just organizing my life so it’s easy. And my dad just for being the best mentor. I go to him for anything. Big thank you to my brothers because I love them. Just thank you to my coaches, especially coach Steve Morsilli, I’m working with him right now and he’s pretty special … I’m really honored to be on the U.S.A. National Team. It’s really cool to have that title and I’m excited for the year.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

3 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Brent Arckey
8 years ago

Great guy!

Ray House
8 years ago

Congrats to Max!

Michelle Sheatsley Adams

So awesome Maxime! You do Livermore and Granada proud!! Congrats!!

3
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x