{"id":495015,"date":"2022-01-07T04:00:30","date_gmt":"2022-01-07T11:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=495015"},"modified":"2022-01-06T15:15:50","modified_gmt":"2022-01-06T22:15:50","slug":"swimming-world-january-2022-presents-before-the-beep-with-university-of-minnesotas-max-mchugh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/swimming-world-january-2022-presents-before-the-beep-with-university-of-minnesotas-max-mchugh\/","title":{"rendered":"Swimming World January 2022 Presents – Before The Beep with University of Minnesota’s Max McHugh"},"content":{"rendered":"

The latest issue of Swimming World Magazine<\/em><\/span>
\nis now available for download in the<\/span> Swimming World Vault<\/span><\/strong><\/a>!<\/p>\n

Non-Subscribers Can Download This Issue Here<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Before The Beep with University of Minnesota’s Max McHugh<\/span><\/h1>\n

By Shoshanna Rutemiller<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When the University of Minnesota\u2019s Max McHugh was unanimously named the 2021 Big Ten Swimmer of the Year, nobody batted an eye. The then college junior had more than earned the title by sweeping NCAA titles in both the 100 and 200 yard breaststroke with times of 50.18 and 1:49.02.<\/p>\n

McHugh\u2019s accomplishment was more than a personal one\u2014it was the first time since 1964 that Minnesota captured a men\u2019s swimming title, and the first NCAA title for all of Minnesota men\u2019s sports since 1996.<\/p>\n

\u201cWinning at NCAAs has always been a goal of mine ever since high school,\u201d says McHugh. \u201cI was honored to win for Minnesota and for my family. Afterward, I felt like all the sacrifices I made had finally paid off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those sacrifices are something every swimmer feels\u2014from the strict training and nutrition regimes, to the mental focus every race requires.
\n\u201cSwimming is just as much mental as physical,\u201d says McHugh. \u201cHow someone approaches a meet or a race is so important, and it is something I work on every chance I get.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Golden Gopher senior (and team captain) took the time to talk to Swimming World Magazine about his typical pre-race routines and evolving view of mental preparation while on the national stage.<\/p>\n

HOTEL<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe night before a big meet\u2014or even a dual meet\u2014McHugh typically enjoys a movie or video games to keep his mind off things.
\n\u201cI love to be around my teammates and enjoy time with them before the meet. I will do my typical recovery on YouTube and make sure to eat and sleep well, but mentally I tend to keep my mind off the meet.\u201d
\nMcHugh admits that there is no special ritual or routine he has except making sure that he eats, sleeps and hydrates well before any competition. His go-to food is often Chipotle because it is so convenient and familiar.<\/p>\n

WARM-UP<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe day of the big race, McHugh does a very brief wake-up swim during the competition. McHugh admits that it\u2019s nothing special, just the typical warm-up his Gopher teammates do before each practice in addition to a quick dryland stretch. But several hours later, it\u2019s \u201cGO time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To continue reading more about how Max McHugh prepares for a big meet, <\/span><\/a>
\n<\/strong>Click here to download the full January issue of Swimming World Magazine, available now!<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Swimming<\/a>[Photo Courtesy: Robert Hanashiro \/ USA Today Sports]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Get Swimming World Magazine<\/em> and Swimming World Biweekly<\/em> FREE When You<\/span>
\nBecome A Member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n

New! 30 Day Membership to ISHOF AND<\/em> Digital Swimming World Subscription for just $10 a month!<\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n

Want more? Get a 1 Year ISHOF Family Membership With Swimming World Print AND<\/em> Digital Subscription<\/span> Order Now!<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/h3>\n

Non-Subscribers can click here to download this issue for only $5.94<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

FEATURES<\/p>\n

012<\/span> THE TOP 5 STORIES OF 2021<\/strong><\/span>
\nby David Rieder<\/strong>
\nWhile the pandemic and its massive effects on the sport were the lone top story of 2020, the action in the pool returned to center-stage in 2021. Unsurprisingly, the focus of the year\u2019s top stories centers on Tokyo, where the Olympics produced some amazing performances and historic results.<\/p>\n

016<\/span> 2021 ATHLETES OF THE YEAR<\/strong><\/span>
\nby Dan D\u2019Addona and Matthew De George<\/strong><\/p>\n