Indiana University Athletics
Senior Reflection: Doherty Colgin
2/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Feb. 15, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Senior Doherty Colgin, along with the No. 16 Indiana women's swimming and diving team, opens up competition at the 2006 Big Ten Championships in Columbus, Ohio, this evening. The Mountain Brook, Ala., product recently took time out of her busy schedule to talk to IUHOOSIERS.com about the upcoming meet and her goals for the future.
Colgin set a high standard for herself last season by swimming in finals in all events she swam but one. She will look to improve upon that performance this weekend.
"The goal every year is to go lifetime best times, and this year is no exception," Colgin said. "I think that our team has an opportunity to do something very special at Big Tens this year. My goal is to contribute in as many ways as possible. I've changed my event lineup a little bit from previous years to give me the opportunity to help the team out more. Individually, I have some pretty lofty goals, but to me, anything is attainable. I'd like to set school records in the 200 and 500 free and clear the NCAA A standard."
Last season, Colgin also earned a trio of All-America certificates at the NCAA Championships in West Lafayette, Ind. That performance boosted her confidence for this season's conference meet.
"Every year, I am full of nerves and excitement heading into the championship season, but confidence is the only way to make it through successfully," Colgin said. "My confidence this year comes from my training. This year's training has been like no other year, and I have great confidence in what I have done. Every year, I have surprised myself a little bit by doing things I didn't think I was capable of. The previous years and successes during those years have led me to expect the unexpected. Every girl on this team has the opportunity to do the unexpected if they believe."
That sentiment helps her to provide the leadership necessary when Indiana fields an unprecedented freshmen class at Big Tens. Colgin has confidence in the abilities of the rookies as they enter battle for the first time in a conference championship meet.
"Big Tens is a meet like no other, so you really never know what to expect," Colgin said. "I think that our freshman class is very mature in and out of the water and will handle the situation very well. As the year has progressed, the freshmen have really grown, as people, teammates, leaders and competitors. I am confident that they will be awesome. I think that they will even surprise themselves with their swimming. Our freshman class is an awesome group of girls that is capable of anything that they believe they can do."
As a team leader and one of five seniors on the team, Colgin has some advice to her teammates and the incoming class of signees.
"As a team, we've discussed a few things as the seniors try to pass on everything they've learned over the last four years," Colgin said. "'Believe. Heart. Teamwork.' is what it comes down to. You can accomplish anything that you truly believe that you can do and you put your entire heart into as long as you have your team with you. College swimming is a team sport, and that is what I think makes IU so special. Yes, we are all here to swim and improve, but my best memories and experiences over the years come from being with the girls and the INCREDIBLE bond that we've formed. We're a family. When you are competing in an individual event, but you have an entire team behind you, and you can feel their support, you can accomplish anything."
Colgin also looked into the crystal ball to see where her future might lead.
"In a perfect world, I would continue school and get my DPT (Doctorate of Physical Therapy), but we'll see if that works out," Colgin said. "My plans are still up in the air for next year, but hopefully physical therapy school will work out for next year. If not, I'll try again the next year."
