TEN QUESTIONS WITH...

What type of an event is this upcoming weekend's US Open in Washington State?
It's a national level meet, meaning various Olympians will be going to it. Since it's such a big meet, it really is a great experience for our team. Because it's a national event, we will compete in meters instead of yards - meaning times can qualify you for the Olympic trials.

What was the experience like for you at the 2000 Canadian Olympic Trials?
It was really my first big-time meet experience and it opened my eyes. I've thought about that event a lot and I am striving to get back there now in 2004.

Earlier this season, you broke an 11-year-old school record in the 200 butterfly with a time of 1:52:56. What does it mean to you to hold that mark?
Honestly, I was surprised to break it. I didn't expect to do that. But it certainly gives me a mindset that will enable me to push even harder for more records in the future.

From a technical standpoint, describe the butterfly stroke.
It's a lot harder because you have to get both arms out of the water at the same time. I think it's one of the more stressful strokes - again, mainly from the standpoint that both arms have to come out of the water at same time.

Following this weekend, your team has a layoff until December 10th - when Canisius visits the Alumni Arena Natatorium. What types of things can you do to stay sharp during that time period?
As far as practice goes, we will get a short break. While we're at home though, we'll be doing what we usually do with our training model.

In the UB swimming media guide, you claim that you move very little prior to a race as to avoid draining any energy. How did that practice develop?
I used to warm up as close to my race as possible. Once I did that, I would usually just sit around before the race - since I had just warmed up - as opposed to stretching out like others do. Come the time of the race, I would just get up and go.

How significant are pool conditions to you as a swimmer? What is the ideal setting for you personally?
I love the pool here at UB. That was the primary reason that I chose to come here over some of the other Mid-American Conference schools - because the facilities here are great. At the Alumni Arena Natatorium, the lanes are wider and the water temperature is always right - the whole atmosphere is excellent.

In your team's November victory over Ohio, you participated in three winning events. How many events are you allowed to participate in during a given meet and how do you prepare to compete in that amount?
You are allowed three events. Usually, I swim three different individual events. The meets are generally only about an hour and a half, so when you have three individual events to swim - depending on the distances - it can take a toll on you.

What are the major changes that you have noticed between this year's UB team and last year's? How valuable do you feel experience is to a swimmer?
Experience is a really big factor, especially at the larger meets. We have the same core of now experienced people that we had last year, plus we've added some talented swimmers.

At the end of your season in February and March, your team competes in the ECAC Championships and then in the MAC Championships? How do these events differ and what is your approach to having a pair of year-ending events?
We are certainly focused a lot more on the MAC Championships because that's our conference competition. The ECACs are something that we will use to gear up for the MACs. Obviously, we have the US Nationals to strive for as well, but that's just an extra bonus. We certainly aim first to do well at the MAC Championships.

-The "10 Questions with…" feature is compiled by Geoff Nason.