San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec




San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

‘story’-Ed Athlete Swims Into Record Books

Since she was 8 years old, Megan Story has felt most comfortablein the water. Nothing could compare to the feeling of gliding throughthe cool, crystal, clear water of her grandparents’ pool, swimmingend to end, lap after lap, working tirelessly to close the gap ofdistinction between a novice and an Olympic champion.

Over the years, through the laborious hours of practice andweekend-long meets, Story has closed the gap — considerably. Justtwo weeks ago, she received word on her latest accomplishment: Sheclimbed into the record books, placing among the top 50 in the worldwith a time of 17:08 in the 1,500-meter freestyle. The same event heridol, Janet Evans, swam best and set a world record in (15:52.10 in1988).

Megan’s mom, Leslie, received mail from the FederationInternationale De Natation Amateur (FINA), the national body thatgoverns all swimming. The letter requested that Megan sign papersthat would permit FINA to conduct performance-enhancing drug tests atanytime during her career. Though the letter was not ofcongratulations it basically rendered the same message: She’s now aprominent figure in the world of swimming.

Atop the letter read, … all individuals who rank in the top 50in the world must be included in the drug testing program….”

So after reading the fine print and digesting the letter, Lesliepicked up the phone, gave Megan a call and the two celebrated liketwo sisters excited about an upcoming prom.

“She was so happy for me,” Story said. “She mailed it down as soonas it came in.”

Two weeks later, Story is looking for a frame for her papers.

“I wanna put ’em up on my wall.”

Even with her recent success, not to mention her dominance atBlanchet High, she remains humble, not wanting to be pushed into thespotlight.

“Yeah, I obviously still have a lot to work on,” Story said.

She says she has techniques to perfect and times to improve on,despite a full load of classes and adjusting to college life.

Withher busy schedule, she still finds time to talk with her youngersister, Meredith, a sophomore in high school who swims for a clubteam in Washington. In fact, the way Meredith and Megan talk mirrorsthe way Megan talked with Aletta Haff, teammate and a childhoodfriend, when both were in high school trying to find a college thatbest suited them.

Haff signed her letter of intent with SDSU last October. Afterbeing recruited, Haff told Megan how great the program and San Diegoare. Evidently, Megan is working the same magic on Meredith that Haffdid on her. “(Meredith) says she wants to come here and swim, too. Itell her how I’m swimming, how fun it is.”

But fun wasn’t just the only thing Story was looking for whensearching for the right swimming program. She wanted a good coach, ateam of girls who were close, and a chance to live to her potential.

Story was favoring University of Washington because it was closeto home. For some time, she thought she was going to end up a Husky.But as time ticked down, drawing closer and closer to the lastsigning period of the year, she opened her mind to other options –Clemson and SDSU.

However, after returning from her recruitment trip from San Diegoand meeting with head coach Deena Deardurff Schmidt, she pronouncedSDSU the victor. “(SDSU) had a real good program and the girls wereclose, too,” Story said. With that, and the fact that she wouldreceive a full scholarship, Story was officially San Diego bound.

Already, Story has made a major impact by devouring hercompetition, leaving them yards behind and snatching up first placefinishes in almost every race she’s entered. By the time hercompetition reaches the wall she’s been resting, at times, for 15seconds — an eternity in swimming. This week she finished first inboth the 1,000- and 500-meter freestyle with times of 10:12.29 and5:03.87 respectively, while finishing 10 seconds ahead of thesecond-place swimmer on average,

“She works really hard at practice which is contagious for therest of the team,” said teammate Erin Kilpatrick. “Her performanceinspires the rest of the team.”

She says she has a lot to improve on. Hard to imagine. Hard toimagine what will become of her by the time she reaches her senioryear. Will she be good enough or for that matter, really want tocompete in the Olympics? Or perhaps pursue a coaching career?

“I’m not really sure what I’ll want,” Story said.

Ten years ago, she was.

Megan Story knew she wanted to close the gap between a novice andan Olympic champion. She knew she wanted to become the best she couldbe. And according to Schmidt, she’s the high-caliber, long-distanceswimmer that SDSU hasn’t had in years.

“She’s just a step above her competition,” Schmidt said.

Just a step above now. Think about how she’ll be when her senioryear comes around, when the 2004 Summer Olympics come around.

Said Story: “We’ll see.”

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San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
‘story’-Ed Athlete Swims Into Record Books