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Senior Ryan Hurley and the men’s swimming team will compete this week at the 2009 NCAA Championships in College Station, Texas. Fresh off their second consecutive ACC championships, the Cavaliers have 13 student-athletes participating at the event, a school record, and at least one in every swimming event. Fans can watch all three days live on the Internet by clicking here and scrolling down to men’s swimming and diving. Hurley, a Potomac, Md., native, recently sat down with VirginiaSports.com to talk about the upcoming national meet, the ACC Championships and his favorite classes at UVa.
Question: What is the mentality for you and the team this week going into the NCAA Championships?
Hurley: This year we viewed ACCs as a stepping-stone for NCAAs whereas in the past, sometimes we have put a lot of emphasis on ACCs. We are really focused on doing well at NCAAs this year. I think everybody’s focus is still very much in check, and we’re going to the meet knowing we have big things to accomplish. I’m very happy with where everyone is mentally and physically right now.
Question: What was it like being back and winning ACCs after redshirting last year?
Hurley: It was hard for me last year. I went down and watched those guys win ACCs last year, and I was absolutely ecstatic for them and happy that they won, but it was kind of bittersweet because I hadn’t gotten my chance at redemption yet. So, it was really great this year to be back on the winning team and to be a part of the team. Everything about this year has been great. To be back with the guys and to be setting bigger and better goals with them has been a great experience.
Question: What was it like to win your first individual ACC championship in the 200 breast?
Hurley: It was definitely something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s been hard swimming in the same event with a lot of great breastrokers through the past, especially (former Cavalier) Vanja (Rogulj). I knew I was capable of winning this year. It was good to have a great swim and get my chance to win one for Virginia.
Question: What was your favorite moment or memory that you’ll take away from the ACC Championships?
Hurley: I would say definitely the last night. The whole evening was really special, watching (Matt) McLean and Taylor (Smith) kick it off with an amazing mile. And really, I was proud of my swim in the 200-yard breastroke. So that was a very happy moment for me, and it couldn’t have ended any better than with the 400 freestyle relay. And the celebration afterwards at the pool – everything was just great.
Question: What are the differences between last year and this year for you? What were the challenges?
Hurley: Last year was difficult because I had my mind set on one specific goal for 10 months straight, and training straight through for that long for one meet was definitely very mentally taxing on me. And it was good because I was able to stay focused and be very devoted to one thing whereas, this year, I’ve kind of known that this is my last go-around, and I’ve wanted to enjoy every moment of it, and make sure that I make the last one special, and do things right rather than going out on a low note. I definitely want to end this one on a great high note.
Question: How did you get started swimming?
Hurley: I got started swimming in California when I was eight. My older sister was on the swim team, and my mom actually bribed me with two packs of basketball cards, which I was really into at the time, and got me to go to practice. Before I knew it, I was going regularly.
Question: What did you choose to come to UVa?
Hurley: I was looking at a bunch of schools with a great balance of athletics and academics, and, clearly, what sold me on UVa was the team atmosphere. I couldn’t have wished for a better group of guys. We’re all best friends. We all get along so well, and that’s so important in a sport like swimming where you’re up at 5 o’clock in the morning, working your butts off. It’s amazing to have a great group of friends around you at all times.
Question: How is graduate school treating you?
Hurley: Grad school is interesting. It’s definitely a little bit of a change going from government to social foundations in (the) Curry (School of Education). But it’s been nice because I’ve gotten to look at educational policy. I’ve been able to tie in a good amount of government into some of the classes I’m taking. So that’s been kind of interesting to look at education in the United States.
Question: Do you have any future career aspirations?
Hurley: That is something I am trying to figure out right now. I’ve been putting a lot of time into it and I’m looking to try and get involved in the sports industry in either marketing or agency, and if that doesn’t work out I’m going to look at doing something with the government, hopefully on Capitol Hill. It’s not really great timing for either right now, but we’ll see how things shape up.
Question: What has been your favorite class at UVa over your five years here?
Hurley: For pure enjoyment factor, History of the Circus. It was absolutely amazing, and I had a lot of fun in it because we just watched some amazing people do some amazing things. And also I have two favorite politics classes, State and Local Government and American Congress, which were both two very interesting classes.
Question: What do you like to do for fun?
Hurley: As a team we like to play beach volleyball a lot when it’s nice out. I’m also into video games and play “Call of Duty” regularly and a little bit too much of “Rock Band.” Over the summer, Lee (Robertson), Pat Mellors and I played a lot. For how much we played we really weren’t very good. Some of the other people are definitely better than us. And I like keeping busy with a lot of the other student-athletes. I am really involved with the S.A.M. (Student-Athlete Mentor) program. Right now I am getting ready for Shootout for Cancer and I am excited about it.
Question: Do you have any superstitions you have to do before you swim?
Hurley: I have cut those down to a minimum the more and more I swim. I do like to take a shower after I am done warming up pre-meet, before I get ready for my race, just to loosen up my muscles. But when you get as old as me, they sort of come and go.
Question: What are you going to miss the most about swimming for Virginia?
Hurley: Definitely being with the guys. That is a very easy answer for me. I am not going to miss waking up at 5 a.m., but I am going to miss being competitive with the guys and really pushing each other in practice and in meets. I am going to have to look for something else to keep my competitive drive going. It’s tough to find a group of guys who are that committed to something.