1. How did you get involved with swimming?
I did parent/infant swim classes when I was a baby, because my mom thought it was important for my brother and me to learn water safety.
I really enjoyed being in the water, progressed through all the levels, and when I was about six, the instructor thought I should join a swim team and learn to race. I’ve been swimming competitively ever since then. I swim with my club team during school breaks, and I do open-water ocean mile races at the Jersey Shore during the summer.
2. Do you have any particular pre-match rituals?
I have quite a few rather quirky behaviors:
When I get to the starting block, I usually stretch and swing my arms like Michael Phelps.
I ask multiple people on deck “how many laps is it?”, because I worry that I will swim too many or not enough laps. (I’ve never actually swam too many or too few laps in a race, but it still makes me nervous).
I try to have a ginger count laps for me. Alex King (who graduated in May) counted when I had my best swims, so I decided gingers are lucky for me.
3. How do you feel about your recent successes in the 1000 and 500 free?
I’m pretty comfortable with my times, given that it’s still early in the season. And I’m always happy when I score points and help the team win a meet.
4. How do you feel about the team’s potential this year?
I think we have a lot of potential! There are so many good swimmers, both upperclassmen and freshmen, and everyone’s willing to work hard and try their best.
I’m really happy with the coaching this season. We have a new head coach, and we’re doing more yardage in the pool and more intense dry land and weight training. I think this will make us a lot stronger as a team and should lead to success in the pool.
5. What swimmer do you most look up to?
I enjoy watching Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky swim, but I also follow Connor Jaeger. He’s a distance swimmer who lost track of his lap number during the 1500 freestyle at OlympicTrials and kept swimming after the race was actually over—he still made the Olympic Team. I can identify with him!
6. What do you think is the best aspect of distance races?
I like having the time to warm up and get into the right rhythm and the strategy and planning that go into long distance races.
I swim some shorter events, but I feel like the race is over just as I’m getting started!
7. Would you rather go to a spa with Kobe Bryant or Karl Marx?
Kobe Bryant. I’m not all that coordinated on land, but I could always use some input on training from a world class athlete.
Eber is a member of the class of 2017.
