Feb. 5, 2010

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - As part of the week leading up to Senior Day on Friday Feb. 5, Umterps.com will highlight one of Maryland's five men's swimming and diving seniors each day. Today's senior is Ryan Greene.

Ryan Greene, a native of Minnetoka, Minn., recorded three personal bests as a junior last season in the 100 fly (49.03) and the 200 fly (1:49.42) at the ACC Championships, and in the 200 IM (1:54.53) at the Terrapin Cup. Greene has really shined in his final campaign in College Park, leading the Terps as a captain and boasting top five times in both the 50 and 100 free for Maryland.

Umterps.com: What has been the one highlight that sticks out in your mind from your time at Maryland?
RG: Sophomore year ACC's at Georgia Tech. I was fortunate enough to be part of the team record-breaking 200 free relay that got third overall. It was the most excited I have ever felt in my life coming into the wall and looking up at the board to see that we had gotten third! All of our teammates were on the deck cheering and pretending to chop their hands, indicating that Maryland was chopping down the competition!

Umterps.com: Think back four (or five) years. How have you changed as an athlete? As a person?
RG: In the past four years I have changed tremendously as a person and as an athlete. Swimming at a collegiate level has helped me mature as a person, manage my time, and enjoy the moment. I have become very sentimental, especially now that it's my senior year, and I try to enjoy every day I have on the swim team. But you never know what tomorrow holds and what could happen to yourself, your friends, or your swim program, so it's important to enjoy all the time you have now.

Umterps.com: How has Maryland swimming and diving changed since your arrival as a freshman?
RG: Maryland swimming has changed quite a bit since I arrived as a freshman. Having gone through three head coaches in my four years on the swim team, Maryland swimming has evolved to something new and different every season. I think that Maryland swimming is at a point now, where there is stability within the coaches and team members to where everyone is able to move forward together to create a nationally competitive swimming program.

Umterps.com: Give three reasons why a recruit would want to become a member of Maryland's swimming and diving team.
RG: Incredible team, phenomenal facilities, and prime geographic location with proximity to Washington D.C. and Baltimore.

Umterps.com: What do you plan to do after graduation?
RG: Finding a job in the field of marketing, and hopefully being able to take this summer off and travel to Hawaii and learn how to surf.

Umterps.com: Any departing advice?
RG: Enjoy the time that you have on this incredible team. Five years from now it is not going to matter what place you got at ACCs or what records you broke. What is going to matter are the friendships you made and the bonds you will have for the rest of your life with your teammates no matter where you end up living. You will never be closer to anyone at college than the people you have shared blood, sweat and tears with in the pool. Don't take any of it for granted and enjoy every moment!