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July 13, 2001
Charlottesville– Rising second year swimmer Gary Marshall (Bartlesville, Okla.) has been chosen as a member of the USA Team to compete for the World University Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 23-28. Having been selected at the U.S. Nationals in the spring as one of the top two university students in the event of the breaststroke, Marshall maintained that this event was one of his main goals this year and also a major accomplishment.
“I made this team in my last swim of the season, and it was great to finish the year on a good note,” he said. “In terms of actual achievements, I feel that simply participating in this journey is my greatest accomplishment.”
Although this is his first international competition, Marshall is excited and curious about the outcome, but asserted that the swimming won’t be difficult.
“Because I am only swimming the breaststroke at the meet, I am able to concentrate on that one stroke more than I can during the school year,” he said. “One good thing about swimming is that it’s the same no matter where you are. Competing overseas is not much different than competing at home.”
When asked if this event would be mentally or physically stressful, Marshall said, “Although I have never been to China before, I want to swim as well as possible. But if I don’t at least I will remember the experience for the rest of my life. I’m going to enjoy the experience as much as possible. “
In addition to representing the nation, Marshall will have the advantage of competing under the University’s swimming coach Mark Bernardino.
“Since we already have chemistry, we’ll know what to expect from each other at the meet,” Marshall said. “This will make the situation more comfortable for me than other swimmers and will allow me to focus more on my swimming.”
In terms of the coaching,the competition will also give Marshall the chance to experience Bernardino’ s style of coaching away from the University.
“This event will be good chance to get to know him in a different way than as my college coach, he said. “I expect his style to be very similar in China, as he has had great success with it in the past.”
Marshall and Bernardino will leave for China from the U.S. Nationals in Fresno, Nev., on Aug. 18.