This article is the second in a series setting the stage for Nebraska swimmers competing in the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, June 26-July 3. Six Huskers from the 2015-16 women's swimming team have qualified for U.S. Trials, and as many as eight more Huskers will be trying to qualify during the Omaha Cup at the CenturyLink Center, June 17-18.
By Jeff Griesch
Huskers.com
Nebraska Coach Pablo Morales describes Husker swimmer Morgan McCafferty as "fire in the water."
Morales, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, knows he sees something special every time McCafferty hits the pool.
"Morgan brings such great intensity to the pool every day," Morales said. "She has a drive and determination when she is in the water, not just in competition but in practice and training every day. That intensity is contagious to our entire team."
McCafferty, a sophomore-to-be from Reynoldsburg, Ohio, found that fire from both a love of swimming and a stubborness to show some early doubters of her ability that she had what it took to compete at the highest levels.
"Since I first started swimming competitively, I loved every second of it," McCafferty said, "but my first three swim coaches told me I should just quit because I would go nowhere with the sport. I was seven years old. Ever since then I have wanted to prove anyone who ever doubted me wrong."
McCafferty hasn't settled for earning a college scholarship to prove her naysayers wrong. She wants to take it to higher levels. She will get a chance to do just that in a few weeks when she competes in the 100 backstroke at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha. She also will attempt to qualify in the 200 backstroke at the Omaha Cup, June 17-18, as a tuneup for the Trials.
"I am so excited to swim at both meets," McCafferty said. "The Omaha Cup is really cool because I get to compete in the Trials pool before a lot of people. For Olympic Trials, I cannot contain my excitement some days. I have always dreamed of making it to this meet, and it is finally happening. My training has been going really well. I am getting excited, and I think Coach Morales is as well."
McCafferty said she has friends and family coming from near and far to support her in Omaha as she chases her dream.
"I cannot wait to get up to Trials and swim and be a part of the atmosphere," McCafferty said. "I have friends and family coming to Trials to support me, and that in itself is one of the coolest things. One of my friends is coming from Ohio, and my aunt and cousin from Grand Island (Neb.) are coming to cheer me on. My mom and stepdad are coming from Hawaii."
While McCafferty is relishing the chance to swim at the U.S. Olympic Trials, she knows it is an opportunity that has come because of her commitment to improving herself on a daily basis.
Before coming to Nebraska, McCafferty was an all-state performer in the 100-yard backstroke at Reynoldsburg High School as both a junior and senior. She added all-state honors as a junior in the 200-yard individual medley, and qualified for nationals in both events.
She came to Nebraska early in the summer of 2015 and used the Huskers' bridge program to make a smooth adjustment to college athletics and academics.
"The Summer Bridge program was a huge help. I was used to campus and knew a lot of other athletes since I was the only swimmer to come in early," McCafferty said. "It forced me to get out of my comfort zone and meet new people. When the fall semester came around, I felt somewhat adjusted to the student-athlete life, minus the rigorous schoolwork of the fall semester."
McCafferty's early arrival and hard work allowed her to make an immediate impact for the Big Red. She helped the Huskers capture the team title at The Big Challenge with career-best performances in the 100 back (55.19), 200 back (2:00.13), 100 butterfly (56.86) and 200 IM (2:04.05).
Her freshman season culminated with a 29th-place finish in the 100-yard backstroke at the Big Ten Championships, to go along with a 41st-place effort in the 200 back.
True to McCafferty's character, she was far from satisfied with those swims at the conference meet.
"Overall, I was satisfied with my first season as a Husker swimmer, and I was honored to be named Nebraska's Co-Freshman of the Year," McCafferty said. "But I wish I would've performed better at Big Tens than I did. I am always looking to improve. I really wish I could have gone faster in my individual 100 back event. As a sophomore, I want to make it to NCAAs. It is a big goal, but I like to set the standards for myself high. I am looking to improve a lot in my 100 back and hopefully make top eight at the Big Ten Championships."
Before she takes a second crack at the Big Ten Championships, she is clearly motivated by a chance to follow her dream to the U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha. Although she left Ohio to come to a second home in Nebraska, she feels constant support from her life-long swimming family.
"Swimming is a gift that I am very grateful for," McCafferty said. "The fact that I have made it this far with the sport is something special to me. I have huge support back in Ohio - my club team (Greater Columbus Swim Team) - my family and my friends are always sending me constant love and support. I would not be where I am today without them. The people that support me back home are the people that help me feel motivated when I am down. I just think of them back home and try to be the best I can be for myself and for them."