Maritza Correia, 2003 NCAA Champion in the 50 and 100 freestyles, and a gold medalist from the freestyle relay at the 2003 World Championships, has added her answers some questions about swimming - and life - that could help other swimmers.
- Without giving away anything that might put you at a competitive disadvantage: What are your swimming strengths? What are your swimming weaknesses? What do you do to work on the weaknesses and maintain or build upon the strengths?
That I'm flexible and I am willing to put in extra work to become better. What are your swimming weaknesses? I have a tendency to doubt myself sometimes. - In a more general "life" sense, what makes you a stronger person?
Working on mental preparation by reading books or listening to tapes i have been able to build upon my strengths and work on my weaknesses. Throughout the years I have gained confidence by believing in myself before races. I don't worry about what other people are doing, I stay focused on my race and I make it MY RACE. - When did you know you could achieve the level of success you have?
I became serious about swimming when I made my first US National cut. I knew that I had a knack for swimming. Since I loved it so much, I decided to take it to a new level. I continually make new goals for myself and strive to achieve them. By making new goals and reaching them I have been able to reach the level of success that i have.
- What makes you want to succeed at swimming at the highest level - what drives you to want to be the best?
My dreams and aspirations. I've always wanted to be an Olympian, and better yet an Olympic gold medalist. I have a competitive drive to want to be at the highest level and to be the best in the world. I also want to be a role model for other young athletes wanting to excel in their sport. So knowing that there are young athletes out there looking up to swimmers like me, makes me want to continue on my journey to becoming an Olympian.
- What is the most difficult or challenging workout you have ever done,and do you want to do it again (or have you done it more than once)?
I have definitely had my share of difficult practices. I think I had my hardest ones when I was younger. I would have to say one of the hardest sets I ever had to do was 10 x 800 on 10:00 created by my coach Peter Banks. He defnitely loved this set. He also loved to do a test set of 10 x 300 on 20 seconds rest hold them were you can hold them (in other words all fast!) Trust me, I would never want to do it again. I think it was great for me at the time (even thought at the time I didn't think so) beacuse it help build a great foundation for my career. I have the endurance background that most sprinters do not have. - When you are in the midst of a very challenging workout what goes
through your head - what do you think about or tell yourself? What does your coach tell you?
When I have a difficult practice I just tell myself to never give up. I feel pain, but I know that I have to push my body to the end. My dad has always said that at the end of my races, I shouldn't even be able to get out of the pool, then I know I have given my all. I know that all the work I am putting in now is going to pay off in the end and help me reach my ultimate goal of making the Olympic team. So all the Challenging workouts are worth it and I try to stay as positive as possible.
My coaches always tell me to keep it up and keep pushing myself. They are have defnitely been on the pool deck encouraging me through every gruling workout. - Would you share a moment in your swimming career that was not fun (or did not feel like anything positive could come of it) when it happened, but looking back, taught you something that has helped make you a better swimmer?
I think the most disappointing time in my career was when I did not swim well at the 2000 Olympic Trials, and it ultimatly cost me an Olympic berth. It was probably my worst meet ever and it couldn't have come at a worse time. At the time, I thought that it was over, that i would never have another shot at making the team. I even contemplated quitting the sport. But I had my Georgia teammates, my coaches, and my mother to help me get through it. I decided that I would keep swimming for another four years and make the team in 2004. Looking back at 2000 I was a very inexperienced international swimmer, and changes needed to be made. I knew that I had to make more national teams and more trips and gain some experience which would help my confidence (which in 2000 was not very good). Within the past four years I have broken SEC records, NCAA records, American records, been to two world championship meets, and have continuosly been one of the top swimmers in my events at meets throughout the years. I now look back at 2000 trials as a learning experience rather than a disappointment and I have never looked back since.
