The Road to Nationals-Elizabeth Beisel
The Road to Nationals-Elizabeth Beisel
Although she is only in her senior year of high school in Saunderstown, Rhode Island,
Elizabeth Beisel already has an impressive swimming resume. At 15, she was the youngest member of the 2008 Olympic swim team, and has continued to shine at national and international meets. In 2009, Beisel placed first in both the 200-meter backstroke and 400-meter individual medley at the Nationals, and set a 15-16 National Age Group Record in the 200-meter backstroke at
World Championships in Rome.
I caught up with Elizabeth after her winter training trip to talk about travel, training for the 2010 ConocoPhilips National Championships and looking forward to college at the University of Florida this fall.
I caught up with Elizabeth after her winter training trip to talk about travel, training for the 2010 ConocoPhilips National Championships and looking forward to college at the University of Florida this fall.
National Team Member: Elizabeth Beisel
Distance from the 2010 ConocoPhilips National Championships: 2,946 miles.
Distance from the 2010 ConocoPhilips National Championships: 2,946 miles.
If you could take a road trip with someone famous, living or deceased, who would it be and where would you go?
Elizabeth: I would want to go on a road trip with Heath Ledger. He was such a good actor and I’m so sad he died. I would take a trip to Europe, and go to Greece and Spain. If we had to be driving, I guess I would like to drive in those underwater tunnels they have in Europe.
Elizabeth: I would want to go on a road trip with Heath Ledger. He was such a good actor and I’m so sad he died. I would take a trip to Europe, and go to Greece and Spain. If we had to be driving, I guess I would like to drive in those underwater tunnels they have in Europe.
Tell me a little about your experience as the youngest swimmer on the Olympic team in 2008. How has that shaped your swimming career?
Elizabeth: Being the youngest member of the Olympic team was a very interesting experience. I had been the youngest member of the two previous teams before, so the Olympics weren’t much different compared to other trips. I tried to take in as much as I could by learning from other teammates and coaches, and that trip was an experience that has helped me get where I am today. Competing at the Olympics has changed my mind set when I compete, and I am less nervous at high pressure meets because of it. I wish every teenager had the chance to compete or at least experience what it is like to compete on such an elite team because it really shows how stressful a sport can be, and how committed each athlete is to do what they do best. It was definitely an eye opener, and I have grown so much because of that experience.
Elizabeth: Being the youngest member of the Olympic team was a very interesting experience. I had been the youngest member of the two previous teams before, so the Olympics weren’t much different compared to other trips. I tried to take in as much as I could by learning from other teammates and coaches, and that trip was an experience that has helped me get where I am today. Competing at the Olympics has changed my mind set when I compete, and I am less nervous at high pressure meets because of it. I wish every teenager had the chance to compete or at least experience what it is like to compete on such an elite team because it really shows how stressful a sport can be, and how committed each athlete is to do what they do best. It was definitely an eye opener, and I have grown so much because of that experience.
With your 16th birthday coinciding with the Olympics, did you get a chance to celebrate?
Elizabeth: I flew home on my birthday, so I had a 36-hour birthday because of the time change. Allison Schmitt and I had such a hectic day. We were leaving on my birthday and decided to go shopping at the markets in downtown Beijing. Once we were done shopping, we were cutting it wicked close to catching our flight. After we finally made it to the village, we packed our stuff and got on the bus to the airport, only to realize we forgot our passports. I have absolutely no idea how we made our flight. When I arrived back in the states a ton of my friends and family surprised me at the airport with birthday presents and signs, which was really nice.
Elizabeth: I flew home on my birthday, so I had a 36-hour birthday because of the time change. Allison Schmitt and I had such a hectic day. We were leaving on my birthday and decided to go shopping at the markets in downtown Beijing. Once we were done shopping, we were cutting it wicked close to catching our flight. After we finally made it to the village, we packed our stuff and got on the bus to the airport, only to realize we forgot our passports. I have absolutely no idea how we made our flight. When I arrived back in the states a ton of my friends and family surprised me at the airport with birthday presents and signs, which was really nice.
How did your races at the 2009 Nationals and World Champs impact looking forward to Nationals this coming August?
Elizabeth: Having those meets under my belt helps me deal with high pressure meets like Nationals. Learning how to deal with nerves and being confident has been a struggle, but dealing with them at meets like Nationals and World Champs has taught me how to prepare mentally. Last summer was a learning experience for me, in terms of swimming at nationals [with the goal] to medal at Worlds, not just swimming to make the World team.
Elizabeth: Having those meets under my belt helps me deal with high pressure meets like Nationals. Learning how to deal with nerves and being confident has been a struggle, but dealing with them at meets like Nationals and World Champs has taught me how to prepare mentally. Last summer was a learning experience for me, in terms of swimming at nationals [with the goal] to medal at Worlds, not just swimming to make the World team.
How do you stay energized to compete each season?
Elizabeth: I definitely have times when I’m not motivated to swim or go to practice. I try to focus on the end of the season and what I want to accomplish and how important that is to me. My teammates are great too, and seeing them at practice every day makes it a lot more tolerable. (Laughs) I love what I do, and I try to stay as optimistic as possible.
Elizabeth: I definitely have times when I’m not motivated to swim or go to practice. I try to focus on the end of the season and what I want to accomplish and how important that is to me. My teammates are great too, and seeing them at practice every day makes it a lot more tolerable. (Laughs) I love what I do, and I try to stay as optimistic as possible.
What types of training are you focusing on right now (aerobic, high yardage, etc)?
Elizabeth: Were just coming off of a high volume training trip, so right now we’re focusing in on power development and early stages of race preparation. Lately we have been doing more intense, less volume practices using power towers and Vasa trainers to help things like explosive turns and high tempo.
Elizabeth: Were just coming off of a high volume training trip, so right now we’re focusing in on power development and early stages of race preparation. Lately we have been doing more intense, less volume practices using power towers and Vasa trainers to help things like explosive turns and high tempo.
Will your training change for the long course season?
Elizabeth: My coach [Chuck Batchelor] likes to keep a focus on long course swimming all year, so not many changes will be made, unfortunately. (Laughs) The main goal is to swim fast this summer, and right now we’re trying to fine tune some technique issues while we have time to get used to new ideas and strategies.
Elizabeth: My coach [Chuck Batchelor] likes to keep a focus on long course swimming all year, so not many changes will be made, unfortunately. (Laughs) The main goal is to swim fast this summer, and right now we’re trying to fine tune some technique issues while we have time to get used to new ideas and strategies.
What races and goals will you focus on at Nationals?
Elizabeth: I’ll definitely be focused on the backs and IMs. Those are the only events that I will stress to swim fast in, but were definitely looking for some other fast times in off events. My main goal for Nationals is to just swim fast and hopefully make Pan Pacs. If not, I get to head to Gainesville early, which wouldn’t be a bad deal either. Either way I’m just looking to have fun with it and enjoy summer.
Elizabeth: I’ll definitely be focused on the backs and IMs. Those are the only events that I will stress to swim fast in, but were definitely looking for some other fast times in off events. My main goal for Nationals is to just swim fast and hopefully make Pan Pacs. If not, I get to head to Gainesville early, which wouldn’t be a bad deal either. Either way I’m just looking to have fun with it and enjoy summer.
What is your favorite road trip memory – either for swimming or for fun?
I haven’t really been on many road trips, so I can’t say that I have a favorite one, but we recently just got back from a meet in New Jersey and it was about a four hour drive. Nothing too exciting happened. (Laughs)
I haven’t really been on many road trips, so I can’t say that I have a favorite one, but we recently just got back from a meet in New Jersey and it was about a four hour drive. Nothing too exciting happened. (Laughs)
Any favorite road trip games or music?
All the standard road trip games - state license plates, ABC games, road sign games. Just things to keep you busy. Definitely helps if you have a good iPod hook up too.
All the standard road trip games - state license plates, ABC games, road sign games. Just things to keep you busy. Definitely helps if you have a good iPod hook up too.
Since it is only the end of January, how are you and your coach balancing training, high school and the recent travel for international meets?
Elizabeth: School is going really well. I’m enjoying senior year a lot and classes are low key, especially after midterms. I’ve been used to balancing school, travel, and training so it’s not much of a problem for me. I have an extremely supportive school, so missing classes isn’t a problem, and my parents are equally as supportive. Chuck is also aware of the balance between school and swimming, and he’s great with understanding conflicts like that.
Elizabeth: School is going really well. I’m enjoying senior year a lot and classes are low key, especially after midterms. I’ve been used to balancing school, travel, and training so it’s not much of a problem for me. I have an extremely supportive school, so missing classes isn’t a problem, and my parents are equally as supportive. Chuck is also aware of the balance between school and swimming, and he’s great with understanding conflicts like that.
What are you looking forward to most about swimming for Florida next fall?
Elizabeth: I’m looking forward to everything next year. I can’t wait to work with Coach Troy and his staff. It will be a tough transition since I’m awful with change, but I am really excited to have the chance to try out new things. I’m also excited to get close with the team. They are all really nice and they’re a great group of people, and I’m so pumped to be a part of that. I’m also looking forward to the dual meets and NCAA’s along with that type of atmosphere. I’ve never really been exposed to a dual meet environment and the energy that comes along with that. I also think it will be cool to focus on short course swimming more than usual because I have a lot to improve upon in yards.
Elizabeth: I’m looking forward to everything next year. I can’t wait to work with Coach Troy and his staff. It will be a tough transition since I’m awful with change, but I am really excited to have the chance to try out new things. I’m also excited to get close with the team. They are all really nice and they’re a great group of people, and I’m so pumped to be a part of that. I’m also looking forward to the dual meets and NCAA’s along with that type of atmosphere. I’ve never really been exposed to a dual meet environment and the energy that comes along with that. I also think it will be cool to focus on short course swimming more than usual because I have a lot to improve upon in yards.
