Alan Maher Leads #3 Texas Men Into the 2009-2010 Season!

NAC swimmer, Alan Maher, was elected Team Captain by his University of Texas teammates for the 2009-2010 college swimming season. It’s a huge honor considering that teammates like Ricky Berens (Olympic Gold Medalist and World Record holder), Dave Walters (American Record Holder), Drew Livingston (USA National Diving Champion), and numerous other All-Americans were among those who voted him to lead them into what they hope is the next NCAA National Championship Title. Last year the Texas Men fell only 40 points shy of this feat behind Auburn Men who have claimed 6 of the last 7 NCAA Titles in addition being the team that stole the Title from Texas back in 2003.

Being elected Team Captain of one of the best, if not THE best college swimming teams in the United States doesn’t just happen overnight. After 2 years of frustrations and major setbacks, including a car wreck that left him temporarily unconscious, Alan made the decision to change his physical, and more importantly his mental shape. He knew that in order to excel in-season you have to get ahead and start training like a champion in the summer. The summer before his junior year, Alan did just that. He lost 12 lbs and told himself, “I’ve got the rest of my life to rest.”

Alan armed with his new attitude qualified and competed in his first NCAA Championship helping his team finish 2nd. Texas men head coach Eddie Reese, gave his team some advice that most may find a little backwards from the norm, “You have to do it before you can believe it”. This is the advice Alan looked to throughout his junior year. He did it, and now believes. There are a couple of other things Alan took with him throughout his breakthrough year that he believes carried him to NCAA’s. “I told myself that I have the best coaches and teammates available, that I WAS going to make NCAA, and that I was the BEST in every race”.

Now that Alan has the responsibility of motivating and leading the Texas men through the 2009-2010 season you can’t help but wonder what one thing he wants his team to carry with them. “I tell my teammates that racing with confidence is the most important thing for success.” As this month holds the first meets of the season for the Texas squad the swimming world will watch as Alan Maher’s leadership gets puts to the test.

Here at NAC we wish Alan the best of luck throughout his senior year and hope to see some great Swims out of his Texas squad. His story goes to show that no matter where you are in your swimming career, it’s never too late for a turnaround, but it has to start with the attitude. One of the best ways Alan described his attitude is, “(I ‘m) gonna be successful reaching my goals or die trying.”

Keep up with Alan Maher and The University of Texas Swimming Team throughout the season at www.texassports.com