With the 2010 SEC Championships approaching, LSUsports.net sat down for a Q&A with men’s swimmer James Meyers, a team co-captain who will be instrumental to the Tigers’ post-season success.
Meyers, one of the SEC’s top 100-yard backstrokers last season, discusses this year’s conference meet, team and individual goals and his preparation for the competition.
The SEC Championships begin Wednesday, Feb. 17 at the University of Georgia’s Gabrielsen Natatorium. Check back with LSUsports.net for daily updates and recaps as well as links to live results and potential live video streaming.
LSUsports.net: The SEC Championships are right around the corner. What are you looking forward to most – one of your individual events or relays?
James: I would have to say that relays are the most exciting part of the SEC Championships. When relays do well, it brings the team big points and really gets us excited to swim fast.
LSUsports.net: What are your goals and expectations for your team and yourself at conference?
James: As a team we set goals at the beginning of the season to finish top-three at SEC’s and to also bring (qualify) a bigger squad to NCAA’s than last year.
LSUsports.net: Last year you tapered very well for SEC’s and proved to be one of the team’s top performers. Do you attribute your post-season success more to being physically rested or in the right mindset?
James: Being rested has a huge effect on my performance at the end of the season. When post-season comes around, the right mindset comes when you have confidence in yourself and know that the hard training will pay off.
LSUsports.net: Unlike dual meets where your main concern is beating the swimmers next to you, you’re racing more against the clock in the these post-season competitions, particularly in the prelims. Throughout a prelim race, can you tell if you’re going as fast as you’d like to or need to in order to advance? Do you ever “shut it down” if you know you’re going to advance?
James: In the SEC, competition is very tight. I wouldn’t want to risk someone else beating me out of finals or consolations, so I never really hold anything back for the morning swims.
LSUsports.net: Last year you barely missed the cut for NCAA’s. Are you motivated even more this season, knowing that you were that close to reaching NCAA’s last year?
James: My main goal is to make it to NCAA’s. Throughout the year I have trained with that on my mind, and I would say that it has definitely motivated me to train harder.