Photo credit: www.deannamccollum.com
Club: Island Swimming/National Green
Coach: Aaron Dahl
Age: 17
Height: 5"8
Best Event: 200, 800 freesytle
1)At what age did you start swimming?
I started swimming when I was 5
2)What was your favorite stroke or event as a 12 & under swimmer?
Freestyle has always been my favorite stroke
3)What is your very first memorable swimming moment?
At Commonwealth Games Trials in 2010, I had to opportunity to be on the 4 x 200 freestyle relay. Being able to swim with some of Canada’s best swimmers (Alexa and Julia) was so amazing especially since it was my first Nationals. We ended up coming second, and standing up on the podium made me realize one day soon I would like to be able to stand at the top.
4)Who is the person you think helped you most along the way?
My mom has definitely been there the most for me. When I decided to move away from home a few years ago to come to Victoria, she was very supportive of my decision, and I know I can always call her if I am having a rough day.
5)Who is your favorite athlete?
My favorite athletes are the very fast and talented Olympians I get the chance to train with each day. Ryan, Julia, Alexa, just to name a few.
6)What would you be doing if you weren’t a competitive swimmer?
I would still be living in Campbell River with my family going to school.
7)What keeps you motivated to train hard each day?
I have high goals and expectations for myself, and I know if I want to reach those goals,I am going to have to stay focused and remember that each day is a chance to better myself.
8)How do you push yourself during a hard workout when you are tired or sore?
I keep in mind that even though I am tired and sore, so are my other competitors. If I want to be the best I have to be able to train through the pain and keep my goals in mind.
9)What is the secret to balancing school and training?
The secret is sleep and lots of it. I make sure I am in bed by 9 every night so that way I can have a good morning practice and am not tired when I have to go to school after.
10)What is your favourite activity outside of sport?
I really enjoy just sitting out in the sun (when there actually is some in Victoria) and reading a good book. I also love to go camping with my friends and family.
11)What is your favorite post-workout snack?
Chocolate milk!
12)Who is your favourite band/singer?
I love Drake and Taylor Swift
13)What is your favourite TV show , movie or both?
Glee and Harry Potter
14)How do you prepare yourself mentally for a race?
I try and remind myself about all the hard work that I have done in practice to prepare myself for this moment and that all I need to do now is race and everything else will take care of itself.
15)Do you have any pre-race rituals?
I go up behind the blocks very early, not to talk to anyone, just to stretch out. I also go over how I want my race to go in my head right before I start my race.
16)Do you have a favourite pre-meet meal?
My favourite is Chicken and Caesar salad the first night before a big meet.
17)What do you feel is your Career highlight so far?
Coming 2nd in the 4 x 200 free relay at Summer Nationals in 2010 and coming 8th at Summer Nationals in 2011
18)What are your goals for the future in the sport of swimming?
I would like to make the junior national team this year and also make a national team within the next few years
19)What is something that most people wouldn’t know about you?
I am an absolute Harry Potter fanatic! And I love to bake, although most people probably know that.
20)What advice do you wish someone had given you as a young age group swimmer?
I still am an age group swimmer, but some advice I wish someone had given me when I was younger is that you can have a bad race, a bad day or a bad meet, but remember to always stay positive and know that all the hard work you have done previously will pay off.
If you have any other questions for Taylor, please post them under comments and we will get her to answer them for you.
Who's going to win the super bowl?
ReplyDeleteK.S.