Derek took time from his busy job in the financial sector to answer a few questions about his experience.
Q: What is your background as a swimmer?
A: I began swimming when I was around 4 years old to get rid of my asthma. According to my mother, I quickly became good at it because of my competitive nature. During middle school, I also participated in cross country and track and field. In track and field, I specialized in the 1,600, the 300 hurdles, and the discus throw. The discus throw was my favorite event while 1,600 was my best. In swimming, I began as a miler, 400 IMer, and 200 flyer. Throughout high school, my events unfortunately became shorter and shorter. I eventually settled on breaststroke, fly, and whatever I could fake using my underwaters during my junior and senior years in college.
Q: What does swimming do for you as a person?
A: Swimming has allowed me to build the many wonderful relationships I have now. I have been fortunate to have been able to get to know hundreds of great people who share their love for the sport.
Q: How did AGUA Masters help you?
A: AGUA Masters was a very important part of my journey to the Olympic Trials. Having the opportunity to swim with a group of people who enjoy the sport and who showed up early in the morning because they genuinely wanted to be there definitely kept me going. Seeing the same people at workouts over and over again really helped in recreating a team atmosphere, which made training more enjoyable. The coaches were very instrumental as well. They know how to write good sets and were very accommodating toward my training needs, which I guess included drowning since one guy [Coach John] had me doing every conceivable set swimming butterfly ;).
Q: What are your future goals as a swimmer?
A: Until I get to the point where I can look at a pool and swim simply for activity, I'll most likely continue competing. I haven't reached my physical peak yet, so I'd like to take advantage of that and see what else I am capable of in the water.
