Feb. 17, 2009

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - With the University of Maryland hosting the 2009 Atlantic Coast Conference Women's Swimming and Diving Championships this week, there is no better time for some insight into the life of a Terp swimmer. Junior Jen Vogel was nice enough to take some time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions.

Vogel has had a stellar 2009 campaign so far, highlighted with an Eppley Recreation Center Natatorium pool record in the 200 fly. Her time of 1:57.72 helped the women's team capture the 2008 Terrapin Cup and is the second fastest recorded in the Atlantic Coast Conference this season. Vogel is a junior engineering major from Hingham, Massachusetts.

Umterps.com: With the ACC Championships being held in College Park, what can fans expect from the team this weekend?

JV: I think that we are going to surprise a lot of teams this year with some great swims. We have been swimming fast all season and training has been going extremely well so it is looking really good going into championships.

Umterps.com: Is there any significant home "pool" advantage?

JV: We all love swimming at our pool it is a great facility and we always race well here. It will also be great be great to have even more support from family and friends.

Umterps.com: How will preparation change for the ACC's? Or do you follow a strict prep routine?

JV: Our practices have been getting easier so we can rest and swim fast. Most of what we do has to do with how we are feeling and what each person needs individually.

Umterps.com: How was it competing with the best swimming athletes that America has to offer in the Beijing Olympic Qualifier?

JV: It was an amazing experience. Watching world records being broken and having a crowd that big to watch swimming was great to see.

Umterps.com: What was it like to compete and train at the Olympic Training Center?

JV: The Olympic Training Center has so much to offer and it is always great to get an opportunity to train there. All of the people that work there and the facilities offer the best training conditions.

Umterps.com: Can you describe the experience when you set the pool record in the 200 fly earlier this year?

JV: I just couldn't believe it. I felt like everything just came together and all the hard work paid off.

Umterps.com: As an upperclassman, looking back on your time in College Park, can you describe for the fans what your experience has been like?

JV: Our team has been through a lot with coaching changes in the past few years but I think we have really been able to pull together as a team and achieve great things.

Umterps.com: In a perfect world, how would you want this weekend to turn out? Personal records? Team Goals? Pool Records?

JV: As a team we are always looking to move up in the ACC and I am sure that will happen this week. We are all hoping to go as many best times and break as many team and pool records as possible. Many members of the team will also be looking to make NCAA cuts.

Umterps.com: Looking forward to next year, what do you hope to accomplish by time you graduate?

JV: I hope to get an internship this summer and hopefully secure a job upon graduation.

By: Kevin Slaf, Maryland Media Relations