Sullivan exceeds expectations after year-long layoff
By NOREEN GILLESPIE
Saint Mary's Editor
Colleen Sullivan stepped onto the pool deck in September convinced that she wasn't going to live up to what she used to be.
After a year abroad in Ireland, the junior sprinter was looking to return to swimming because she missed it; but after a year and a half without serious training, she knew that achieving the standards she was used to was close to impossible.
"She came in, first day, and said flat out that she didn't know if she could do what she had done in high school," said coach Gretchen Hildebrandt, who admitted that she didn't know what to immediately expect from Sullivan.
Sullivan wasn't sure what she could expect from herself, either.
"I was very worried," she said about her return to competitive swimming. "I had gotten in to do a 500 over the summer, and it killed. I hadn't done anything in the water in a year and a half. It definitely affected my confidence."
So easing back into the sport, Sullivan trailed in her lane, unsure of what her capabilities would allow her to do.
"As far as training, at the beginning part of the season, I'd volunteer to go last in my lane," Sullivan said. "I had lost confidence in my training more than my races. It took me awhile before I could lead the lane."
But under Hildebrandt's guidance, Sullivan began to realize that she could challenge what she had done before — and supercede it.
"She's a very hard worker," Hildebrandt said. "I knew right away that she could beat all of her previous records."
Sullivan did beat all of her previous records Thursday night, engraving her place in Saint Mary's swimming history by setting the 50 freestyle record twice, and anchoring the 200 freestyle relay that cracked the oldest record left on the record board.
Hildebrandt was visibly moved on the side of the deck, glancing at her watch and up at the scoreboard for confirmation, holding in tears of pride.
"It brought tears to my eyes," she said. "Everything about her race was perfect — her start, her turn, her stroke. I was watching in so much anticipation that I didn't even want to look at the board, because I didn't want to be disappointed. The swim was so perfect ... she deserves this so much."
But Sullivan, who prefers middle distance events, had no idea she had set the record.
"I just wanted to give it all I could," she said. "In the 50, there's really no time to think. I was just looking forward, thinking, `I own this lane.' I knew that I was going to swim fast."
But she was unaware of just how fast she would swim.
"I don't train for the 50, so this was a pleasant surprise," she said. "I didn't even know I'd broken it until I walked around [to Gretchen]."
Sullivan's role has been one of silent necessity throughout the season, as the junior has the ability to pull out a tight win in critical situations. As the season progressed, Hildebrandt watched the woman who came to her uncertain mature into someone who played an integral role on the team.
"In her lane, she is the motivator," Hildebrandt said. "She works hard, and they have fun. She is someone I look to for leadership both in and out of the pool ... she is an excellent role model."
Her newfound confidence was based in her mental training, an aspect of swimming she had never considered before, Sullivan said.
"I had never trained mentally before," Sullivan admitted. "Since I've gotten back from Ireland, I've had a much more laid back attitude towards the sport. Under Gretchen, I've also learned to be mentally tough, and that mental toughness matters."
Mental focus will surely come into play for Sullivan, who still has the 100 and 200 freestyle events on her schedule for this weekend. But as far as she's concerned, for now, she just wants to take it easy.
"I'm just trying to have fun, and enjoy swimming because I know one day I'm going to miss it," she said. "As far as breaking records, I hope we're surprising some people — maybe scaring some people. I'm excited for tomorrow — everyone shocked themselves today."
Especially Sullivan.
All Sports Stories for Friday, February 11, 2000
