Dylan Yoder

Dylan has been swimming for 4 years and he attends Malone University in Canton Ohio. His favorite event is the 100 yard breaststroke.

How does college swimming compare to high school swimming in terms of intensity?

“The training is a lot harder. The individual sets are more difficult and there are two practices a day. We also lift weights a lot more and there is a large emphasis on strength training. We put about 3.5 hours 6 days a week into training.”

How much does nutrition matter to your training, and do coaches help with that?

“Coach pretends that he helps with nutrition but it does matter a lot more. Putting healthy food in your body is very important but it is more important to have the right balance of carbohydrates, fats, and protein. It is also important to have your vitamins and supplements. In Ohio because it’s so dark and gloomy we have to take vitamin D and K. I also take vitamin C. For supplements I use creatine to help me with muscle recovery.”

If you could go back to high school, what advice would you give yourself about swimming?

“I would tell myself to not be so hard on myself about getting a new pr (personal record) every single time I swam a race. The season of swimming is so long. So you will have ups and downs. And you won’t be rested for any meets except for the last ones. So don’t be so hard on yourself just seek improvement little by little.”

What are team traditions or fun things you do together?

”The team eats breakfast together at the cafeteria after morning practice every day and we go to goodwill once a year to buy silly lifting shirts.”

Seth Mcmillen

Seth has been swimming for 15 years. He also attends Malone University in Canton Ohio,  and his favorite event is the 50 Freestyle.

What does a typical week of practices and dry-land look like for your team?

“So for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday we have two swim practices. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. For Tuesdays and Thursdays we still have those morning practices but 30 mins later and lifting with the team”

Do you actually have time for social life and fun outside the pool?

“It’s very hard to make time. It depends on what your weekends look like and your workload. I find some time but not a lot.”

What skills from swimming help you in school or life outside the pool?

“The discipline aspect of swim has always been apart of me. I am grateful to have obtained self discipline by being able to wake up for morning practices and keep myself on a good schedule. I am able to use that skill on completing homework and pushing myself when I need to.”

Do you ever feel burned out, and how do you handle it?

“Of course I feel burnt out. However, I know with a good weekend of sleep I can always turn my physical and mental health around. Being burnt out is not only apart of swim but any sport. Also coach can be helpful with that by giving us some time off if our team truly needs it.“