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Kate Douglass had her choice of just about every college in the country.
She chose Virginia because of its raw potential. It reminded her of herself.
“I really loved the school as a whole, the campus. I thought there was a very great balance between academics and athletics. The team atmosphere is great,” Kate Douglass told Swimming World. “Another reason I chose Virginia is we are an up and coming program and being the underdogs is really fun.”
Photo Courtesy: Virginia Athletics
It is hard to consider the Cavaliers underdogs, since they are ranked No. 3 in the current College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) poll, but Virginia doesn’t have any superstars.
Paige Madden, Morgan Hill and Megan Moroney have been the team’s power point scorers, but adding a freshman class led by Douglass has been transformative.
Douglass has the top time in the NCAA this season in the 200 breaststroke, touching the wall in 2:06.19 at the Tennessee Invitational. She has the second-fastest time in the 200 IM (1:52.84) behind Wisconsin’s Beata Nelson (1:52.27).
She also has the fourth-fastest time in the 100 butterfly (50.30) and the 10th-fastest time in the 100 free (47.85).
“I have been really happy with the results so far. I tried to come in with no expectations and ease into it,” Douglass said. “It is definitely a lot more training than I am used to. I never did doubles in high school. Working on specific events has helped a lot. I didn’t taper much. I got a couple of days of rest. It is definitely exciting knowing I have more left in me.”
But in what events?
“My goals now are scoring as many points as I can for my team at ACCs and NCAAs and see how well I can do with a taper,” Kate Douglass said. “Still trying to figure out my events. The results from midseason are going to push me toward a couple events. I kind of like doing different things. It is helpful to mix up training. I get excited for certain practices and I get to train with everyone on the team because I train with each group. The coaches are great. They bring a lot of energy. It is nice to be able to train for each coach.”
Douglass grew up in Pelham, New York, a few miles north of New York City.
“It is a small town part of a larger county. It is nice being able to go into the city whenever you want. My club team was in New York when I was younger. Everything is super close,” she said. “I never really swam for my high school team. My club team Chelsea Piers is in Connecticut.”
She stayed on the coast and is hoping for some big times at the end of the season.
“I am definitely surprised with a lot of my times. This training is a lot more intense so I was hoping to drop a little. I am excited for the rest of the season,” Kate Douglass said. “It was nice being in a really competitive meet. That definitely helps me push myself. Racing everyone again at NCAAs will be really fun.”
Been watching her swim at MR meets since she was 10 and under. A natural swimmer from day 1. Nice to see her enjoying so much success.