Senior Profile: Patty DeScenza
2/3/2010 7:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
Feb. 3, 2010
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - As part of the week leading up to Senior Day on Saturday, Feb. 6, Umterps.com will highlight one of Maryland's five women's swimming and diving seniors each day. Today's senior is Patty DeScenza.
Patty DeScenza is a two-time captain for head coach Sean Schimmel and has been a constant force in the fly events all four years at Maryland. As a junior, she competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Trials and established four personal bests, two in the ACC Championships and two at the Terrapin Cup. The Naperville, Ill., native was an individual point scorer at the championships after finishing fifth in the 200 fly (1:58.62) and tenth in the 100 fly (54.41). This season she helped guide Maryland to yet another Terrapin Cup Invitational championship and her time in the 200 fly this season is the seventh best in the ACC.
DESCENZA Q & A
Umterps.com : What has been the one highlight that sticks out in your mind from your time at Maryland?
PD: I would say that the team-bonding experiences have stuck out in my mind the strongest. Whether in the fall with the intra-squad, on training trip with our little teams, or at ACCs together, our team has many opportunities to become a close family. I will truly miss training trip competitions (especially the coke chugging relay)!!!!
Umterps.com: Think back four (or five) years. How have you changed as an athlete? As a person?
PD: Thinking back on the past four years, I have certainly changed as both an athlete and a person. As an athlete, I have fine tuned my skills, built my endurance, and learned to love the sport. I have dropped a ton of time in my events along the way but also enjoyed the journey that brought me here. As a person, I have grown to be a motivated, dedicated, and strong young teacher.
Umterps.com: How has Maryland swimming and diving changed since your arrival as a freshman?
PD: Maryland swimming has gone through many swimmers, coaches, and trainers in the past four years. We have moved up in the ACC and the NCAA and it's only up from here. I think we are in a really good spot right now and can continue to build in the years to come.
Umterps.com: Give three reasons why a recruit would want to become a member of Maryland's swimming and diving team.
PD:
1. To use an amazing swimming and diving facility
2. To graduate from an established institution
3. To be a part of the UMDSD family!
Umterps.com: What do you plan to do after graduation?
PD: I am planning to go to graduate school to pursue my master's degree in special education. After that, I plan to move to Florida!
Umterps.com: Any departing advice?
PD: Enjoy every moment, even those intense circuit workouts, long team meetings, grueling chute practices and boring bus rides... It all goes by very fast and you'll be done before you know it!
