Eva McNally '21 Recruiting Profile

My swimming career began at age 8, when I started swimming for the Winnebago Area Mariners (WAM). I’ve always loved the water, whether it be in Lake Michigan or at the pool, so swimming seemed like a natural fit for me. Despite trying many other sports like tennis, soccer, dance, and cross country, I always wanted to get back in the water. In my early club swimming career with Ozaukee Aquatics, I usually practiced 2-3 times a week during the school year, and swam recreationally during the summer. I only started swimming full time at age 14 during my first year of high school swimming. I vividly remember coming home from summer camp and checking the calendar, incredibly worried about practicing twice a day with people I had never met (we moved before freshman year of high school). I wish I could tell my past self that picking up full time competitive swimming would be one of the best decisions I have ever made. 

After my first high school season at Shorewood High School and first season on Shorewood Swim Club, I secured my first State cut at age 14 in the 100 meter breaststroke. I never thought I was capable of doing such a thing. This has been a huge motivating factor for me since I started swimming full time quite late. I remember the feeling of seeing the State time next to my name and seeing my coach and teammates on the side of the pool with smiles as big as mine on their faces. Even my teammate’s mom who was officiating was so excited that she forgot to start the next heat! I consider this event my “breakthrough swim,” where I crossed the threshold from liking swimming to loving swimming. I was more determined than ever during the following short course season. I swam well throughout the whole season, and just made a State cut in the 100 yard breaststroke. I went to the 2018 Wisconsin Short Course Championships--my first short course State meet ever. There, I was so excited, and crushed my previous best times by nearly three seconds. I went 1:08.42 in prelims and I made my first final ever, and I was among the top thirty breaststroke swimmers in Wisconsin. Being so new to this next level of competition at State, I went and swam my heart out.

This past year has been pivotal in my mental fortitude. I no longer feel like the top swimmers on my team are out of reach, and now we strive to grow together. One of the main things we do is push each other to do more. Our coach always tells us that we can be better, and encouraging each other during tough sets and offering feedback both in practice and at meets will get us there. I have become much more confident in my ability to compete. I like to show people what I can do and I always love a good race. I don’t really get nervous anymore before I swim, I just like to get up and go. I have become much more focused on my goals and in college, I wish to be the best athlete and teammate I can be. I strongly believe that swimming in college will help me become the best version of myself as a student athlete.