NORFOLK, Va. — Katie McCullough is a senior at Maury High School. In November, she helped lead her volleyball team to the state tournament and she is now hoping to do the same with her swim team. She is one of those athletes who will put 110 percent effort into every practice. Because of that, she sees results at swim meets, time and again. Her hard work and dedication brought her to the state swim meet in her 9th and 10th-grade seasons before Covid-19 restrictions denied her the chance to qualify for her 11th-grade year. Katie is excited to finally return to the pool and is eager to continue her streak for her final season with Maury’s swim team. While she won’t be swimming in college, she is expecting to bring her many other gifts and talents to Virginia Tech or The University of Maryland next year.

What are your personal goals within your sport/athletic dreams?  

Katie McCullough: I would say my personal goal within swimming this year would be to make it to the state swim meet for my final season. Since Covid-19 cut my junior season short, it has been hard trying to get back in shape for this season. However, I am going to work my hardest every day in order to reach my goal.

What is your biggest challenge in your sport, and what do you do to manage this challenge? 

McCullough: My biggest challenge in this sport is having to compete against girls who swim at a much higher level than I do. To manage this challenge, I put in as much effort as I can in the pool and outside of it.

What was the best advice you were ever given? 

McCullough: To not let other people’s opinions influence how I view myself.

Do you have a saying or motto that you like to live by? 

McCullough: A motto I like to live by is “you only live once.” I try to live every moment to its fullest and take every opportunity I am offered because you never know if it’ll be your last.

What do you love about your sport? 

McCullough: I love how when you are in the pool it is an individual sport, but outside of it you are surrounded by a team who supports you and loves the sport just as much.

Would you like to play in college? 

McCullough: I would have loved to swim in college, however, I quit my club team too early for me to have accomplished that goal. If I could go back in time, I would’ve continued with it.

What do you like to do outside of your sport? 

McCullough: My all-time favorite thing to do outside of my sport is to spend time with my friends and family.

How would you describe your personality? 

McCullough: I would describe my personality as energetic and outgoing. I love meeting new people.

What is your favorite snack food? 

McCullough: My favorite snack food changes quite often. Right now I have to say it’s goldfish.

What is your favorite song or music artist to get you ready for a game? 

McCullough: One of my favorite music artists to listen to before a game is Drake. His songs “Big Rings” and “Jumpan” get me pumped up for my meets and games.

Do you have a pregame ritual you follow? 

McCullough: I don’t really have a pregame ritual. I just try and set little goals for myself that I hope to achieve each meet or game.

What has being a member of a team taught you?  

McCullough: Being a member of a team has taught me that most things are bigger than yourself.

What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach or mentor? 

McCullough: The best piece of advice I received from a coach was to not be too hard on myself and dwell on a past mistake. He told me to always focus on what’s next and how I can improve.

Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.

McCullough: During my sophomore season, I qualified for regionals in the 50 free. I had a very good chance of placing high enough to swim this event in the state swim meet. I got up on the blocks, dove off, and began swimming as fast as I could. I was close to the lead, but when I reached the wall to go into my flip turn I flipped too early and completely missed the wall. I lost all my momentum and got 6th. Seeing that all the hard work I had done during the season completely went to waste in a matter of 5 seconds was heartbreaking. However, since that race, I focus on perfecting my flip turns each practice so I will never have to experience that disappointment again.

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