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Sports

Olympic swimmer Lochte a big draw at Sterling Center

By Jean DePlacido
Staff writer
Published: November 3, 2008

BEVERLY — Long before Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte was scheduled to appear at the Beverly YMCA Sterling Center yesterday, his young followers flocked to the gymnasium, anxiously awaiting a sighting of the popular swimmer.

It was a rare opportunity to see Lochte, who won gold medals in both the 2004 Olympics in Athens and the Olympic Games in China this past summer.

From the youngest fans like 8-year-old Alec Powers of Beverly, who has only been swimming a couple of years, to the oldest getting ready to go off to college, Lochte's audience was thrilled that he would be talking to them.

Lochte is from upstate New York and swam for the University of Florida Gators, where he was a seven-time NCAA champion and two-time Swimmer of the Year.

Two years ago Lochte set American records for the 200-yard IM (individual medley) and 200-yard backstroke. In Beijing, he took bronze in the 400 IM behind his famous teammate Michael Phelps, who finished first in world record time en route to a record-breaking eight gold medals in the Games. Lochte also took home gold in the 200-meter backstroke with a new world record time and as a member of the 4x200 winning freestyle relay team.

The highlight of the Olympics in China?

"Honestly, it was the all you can eat at McDonald's," the laid back Lochte immediately replied. "When you are competing, you need 8,000 to 12,000 calories a day so that's something to look forward to."

Lochte has been swimming since he was 8 years old, starting out for MCC (Monroe Community College) in New York where his father was the head coach. He is best known for his speed and strength kicking underwater, and he knows many of the youngsters listening to his experiences and watching the demonstration in the pool hope someday to reach the heights he has attained.

Helping Phelps win a record-setting eight gold medals was something he took in stride.

"I was just trying not to screw up," he said. "We all wanted to help him and the whole team. There were a lot of good guys there, and for the most part the main competition came from others on the US team. I always try not to think about swimming when I'm getting ready. The calmer I am, the faster I'll be. I try not to focus on anything to do with swimming both before and during a race. I usually think about what I am going to eat after it's over. That works well for me."

Teddy Millett, a senior at Marblehead High, and Brian Brennan, a junior at St. John's Prep, wanted to pick up some pointers to help in the upcoming season. Both intend to continue their swimming careers in college and plan to go to the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2012.

"I'm pretty excited to meet (Lochte) because he swims at the highest level there is," said Brennan, a 16 year old from Beverly. "I do get anxious before the big meets, and I hope to pick his brain and get some good tips."

Millett said that if he starts to feel nervous before a big race he talks to one of his teammates.

"If I think about it too much I will have a bad race," said Millett, who hoped to pick up some pointers on improving his backstroke from Lochte, who said his favorite races was the 200-yard IM. "When I'm swimming for the (YMCA) Sharks I usually talk to Brian (Brennan) and tune everything else out."

Lochte intends to compete in the next two Olympics, which means years of getting up early and doing tons of training.

"I've been in break mode, but starting tomorrow I will be back in the water with my regular training schedule," said Lochte. "I wouldn't do it if I wasn't having fun. The biggest thing I can tell all these kids is to have fun - whatever they do."

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