Throughout the 2009-10 swimming and diving season, LSUsports.net will showcase a key member of the LSU swimming and diving teams. Today’s edition features sophomore Ben Decker, one of the SEC’s top returning breaststrokers, who discusses his trip to last summer’s U.S. Open, the end of the “super suit” era and his goals for the season.
Fans can watch Ben and the rest of the men’s and women’s squads at 2:30 p.m., Friday in the LSU Natatorium when they face perennial powerhouse and Southeastern Conference foe Auburn. The LSU Natatorium is located at the corner of Nicholson Drive and W.Chimes Street. Admission is free.
LSUsports.net: You competed at the 2009 U.S. Open over the summer and swam well. Tell me a little bit about that experience.
Ben: One of the things I enjoy most about swimming is having the opportunity to travel to new places. Being able to swim well in a state I had never been to before was a great experience.
LSUsports.net: Most national and international competitions are swum in the long-course format (50-meter pool). What are some of the differences in training for long course as opposed to the short-course yards format (25-yard pool) in collegiate swimming?
Ben: One of the differences that I feel is most important to breaststroke is timing. During the short-course season, there is very small room for error with every length. I only have about six strokes per length to hit the wall perfectly in SC, but with LC, I may have about 18 strokes per length to time my wall. I feel that my stroke, which is stretched out and powerful, is more suited for LC, and that is also the type of competition I prefer.
LSUsports.net: Much has been made about the impact of the so-called “super suits” on swimming. Now that those suits have been outlawed by the NCAA, what impact, if any, do you think that ruling will have on collegiate swimming as teams prepare for major competitions?
Ben: I feel that the ban will make preparing and swimming in major competitions a lot easier and less nerve racking than before. I think the banning of the suits will have little or no impact on college swimming. Even if you were wearing a “super suit”, if you don’t think you’re going to do well, you’re not. The same goes for wearing a jammer this year. If you think that you can do well, you’re going to have an edge on your competition.
LSUsports.net: What are some things you are looking to improve upon in your training or with your strokes in your second collegiate season?
Ben: Last year at SEC’s I looked like a 13-year-old waiting to hit puberty compared to the rest of the guys in the ?A’ final. They were much stronger and built. I want to continue to get stronger this year and continue to try and perfect my stroke.
LSUsports.net: What would you like to achieve by the end of the season?
Ben: By the end of the season I would like to have swum in one more meet than I did last year. James (Meyers) and I were one spot away from making it to NCAA’s in the 400 medley relay, and I don’t want to ever feel that way again.