Miranda Tucker has been a part of the Michigan-Indiana rivalry in the pool.
In fact, she has been on both sides of it.
While many of the nation’s elite college swimmers are looking ahead to the NCAA Championships, the Wolverines and Hoosiers will be focused on winning a Big Ten title.
The Wolverines have won three in a row, with Tucker being a part of last year’s after transferring from Indiana.
“The rivalry has always been there. Big Tens is such a different dynamic. Dual meets are chill and NCAAs is like a USA nationals, but Big Tens is a whole different animal. You have the intensity of everyone wanting to win the conference title, but it also is the most fun meet,” Tucker told Swimming World. “We put on our tattoos and really cheer for each other. It is really memorable.”
Tucker is looking forward to competing at the meet, which is at Indiana — her former home pool. Any nervous feelings about the venue were erased during the season.
“We already had a dual meet this season. I was super nervous to be back on campus, but my teammates were very supportive,” she said. “I almost forgot I used to swim there.”
Photo Courtesy: Daryl Marshke
Tucker, a breaststroker, went from training alongside Olympic gold medalist Lilly King, to competing against her.
She didn’t leave Indiana because of anything specific. She just wanted to be closer to home, which is about a half hour from Ann Arbor, Michigan.
“I am a huge homebody. When everyone is a teenager, they want to get out of the house. I really missed home. Being a half hour from home helps so much with thy psyche,” she said.
She has found her passion (other than swimming) at Michigan as well, now that she is an Art History major.
“Tons of papers lately,” she said. “I have already finished two and have another one on the global Baroque, trying to find the connections between countries like Caravaggio’s reach to (inspire artists in) Brazil.
“I always took it as an elective when I was trying to find a major. All of my teammates go on about the majors they are passionate about, and I only got passionate about my art history classes.”
Michigan’s team has art majors, engineers, international students, Olympians, hometown kids and everyone in between.
“We all fit together like a crazy puzzle,” Tucker said.
And the puzzle is coming together.
“This has been my best season yet. Not only at dual meets, but my times have actually been better than ever before. I am really looking forward to Big Tens and NCAAs,” she said. “Part of it is definitely a mental aspect. I am doing a major I love. I am getting comfortable in my skin with my team. It definitely propelled me in the way of motivation. I was very proud of my times at NCAAs, but I wanted more.”
How much more?
“I really want a 57.00 breaststroke. I broke 58 for the first time last year. I was 2:06 the past two years in the 200 breast. I would love to surprise myself.”
A surprise performance could cement a fourth consecutive Big Ten title for the Wolverines, who are looking for another trophy finish at the NCAA Championships as well.
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Miranda Tucker is a very special young lady, who is a positive and bright influence and example to younger swimmers. U of M is lucky to have her on their dynamic team!
So proud to have played a part in Miranda’s high school years. She was just as wonderful then and we knew we would hear a lot about her in the future. We were right! Good luck Miranda!❤️
I met Miranda at WCC in Ypsilanti,MI. W
In a dreaded Statistics class. She was such a soft spoken, sweet spiritrd young woman! After resigning to the idea of never being able to get thru that class, she would offer the much needed assistance. Which I believe, helped me to get thru and to pass the class, which ended up being my final Math Class before transferring to EMU. I feel very blessed to have met this lil beauty. Im super proud to know her and will be rooting for her all the way! Go Miranda Go!!! ????
GO BLUE!