Attending to Know … Ashlyn Massey

HM: Who impressed you to pursue swimming as a sport?

AM: “My parents put me in the water at a very young age. I started liking it a lot more, so then I was put into competitive swimming. I’m very competitive, so I grew a passion for the sport. I was also playing soccer at the time, but I think at the end of the day I really just enjoyed swimming more and it gave me a lot of opportunities and I’ve met amazing people along the way because of the sport, so I’m very grateful for that.”

HM: You set a faculty document time of 1:54.83 within the 200-yard butterfly on the NCAA championships as a freshman. What was that second like for you?

AM: “Honestly, it felt so good. It just showed how all the hard work I was putting in was brought to a result and I was very happy with that. And accomplishing that time, it felt good for me personally. … Having my team by my side and cheering me on, it’s definitely not something I could have done by myself. And they pushed me through so many hard times, and it feels like when I accomplished that time, it wasn’t something just for me, but for the team as a whole.”

HM: What goes into your preparation for races?

AM: “I think going to the [starting] block knowing that I’ve done all the work possible for me to just execute my race as planned. We put in so much hard work every single day, and I think I just need to go in [and] trust the process, and trust that I know what I’m doing. And again, surrounding myself with my teammates, [having] good, positive energy. And going up to the block, walking in, and just knowing I can do it.”

HM: How do you keep mentally targeted all through the course of a complete season?

AM: “It’s undoubtedly quite a bit, however one factor I do go by is simply taking [it] one factor at a time and controlling what I can management – trusting the method, trusting my coaches, [and] placing the work the place it must be put in. Mentally, it’s laborious, however … I’m round such a supportive atmosphere that it makes it quite a bit simpler. There’ll undoubtedly be days the place it’s tougher to get off the bed or tougher to remain motivated to go to observe, however like I mentioned, it’s good to have the ability to lean on such a supportive atmosphere.

HM: You acquired All-ACC Academic Recognition as a freshman. What did that imply for you?

AM: “Honestly, it was very accomplishing because as much as I love swimming and want to do good in swimming, I also value school a lot and I want to be very good academically alongside my sport. So that was a nice accomplishment to be able to get.”

HM: What have you ever discovered from competing on the NCAA championship meet?

AM: “It’s amazing to be surrounded by such talented people, especially alongside our divers who are just absolutely amazing. Being able to watch them win national championships is a moment I will cherish forever. It’s so inspiring and they inspire me to work harder and be better. And it’s very motivating to be surrounded by that culture.”

HM: What sorts of objectives are you setting for your self forward of subsequent season?

AM: “I all the time need to be higher. I need to break my document for the 200-fly. I need to get below that 1:54 mark. I need to compete at NCAAs once more and make a last, and I need to be alongside my teammates. I need extra of my teammates to make [the NCAA Championships] so we’re extra of a gaggle going. I believe that’d be actually good for our workforce and simply the tradition of all of it as effectively. And I actually need to see others succeed and be at that stage as effectively and get them to expertise simply how superb that meet is.

HM: What sorts of obstacles have you ever confronted all through your swimming profession and the way have you ever overcome them?

AM: “I believe with all sports activities on the whole, there’ll be ups and downs and there’ll be laborious occasions that you simply’ll must push by way of. You’re clearly not going to be going [your] finest occasions each single meet, and I believe it’s essential for an athlete to appreciate and be okay with not succeeding and being the perfect on a regular basis. We’re human. We’re not going to be one hundred percent on a regular basis. [But] push by way of it. … Rely on folks which might be supportive. Surround your self in a constructive atmosphere, and [don’t] be so laborious on your self. As athletes, we work so laborious day and evening, and I believe it’s actually essential to appreciate that. … Pat your self on the again for small accomplishments. And ultimately, you’ll succeed and you have to simply belief the method.