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By JEFF DEAN Times Leader Sports Correspondent
Tuesday, January 25, 2000 Page: 1B
Distance swimming isn’t for everyone, but for senior Matt Schweitzer, the
pain involved in the longer events seems to suit him. The Dallas swimmer has
been asked to perform in a wide array of events for his team this season – all
but two of which he has won – but he has really turned heads with his
performances in the endurance races: the 200- and 500-yard freestyle, and the
200-yard individual medley. In a meet last week against Wyoming Seminary,
Schweitzer swam in four events, won his individual events and set school
records in the 50 freestyle (23.4 seconds) and 200 individual medley
(2:06.12). The three-time district champion in the 200 freestyle added the
records to an already substantial list, which includes school marks in the 100
freestyle (52.3), 200 freestyle (1:50.1) and 500 freestyle (5:01.0). “Matt
focuses on doing his best every time he gets in the pool, whether it’s a meet
or just a practice,” said assistant coach Jill McGinley. “Frankly, he’s an
amazing young man.” Besides swimming long events, Schweitzer runs cross
country and the mile and two mile in track. “His type of events require
strength,” added McGinley, “but also incredible determination.” Before a
race, Schweitzer said, he listens to music to help him focus his thoughts.
Then he thinks about how he wants to pace himself. “The long events hurt, but
that’s what we work on in practice,” said Schweitzer. “We do drills to build
up our pain threshold.” Might he actually enjoy the pain? “No, I wouldn’t go
so far as to say I enjoy the pain,” he said with a laugh. “I just try to
deal with it.” Schweitzer is starting to set his sights on winning districts
for the fourth consecutive year and then medaling in the 200- and
500-freestyle events at the state meet. “The main thing for me is that I keep
improving my times,” he said. “Hopefully, my experience in the state meet
will help me do my best in whatever events I swim.” MD112cut info Dallas’
Matt Schweitzer set school records last week in the 50-yard freestyle and
200-yard individual medley. He hopes to win a fourth district title in the 200
freestyle.
Getting to Know: Matt Schweitzer Age: 18 Family: Parents Stephen and Anita;
sister Emily, 21; brother Andrew, 14. Hometown: Dallas On suffering: “When it
starts to hurt, I focus on the event and try not to think about the pain.”