Indiana University Athletics
Big Ten's Just the Start for IU's King
2/24/2016 1:23:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving
By: Tori Ziege | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Lilly King doesn't get nervous before races.
She drinks a bottle of Coke.
The caffeinated beverage became a pre-race tradition for Indiana's freshman swimmer in 2014. Since then, she's won two state titles in the 100 and 200-yard breaststrokes, a silver medal at July's World University Games and a title at December's winter nationals.
She added Big Ten gold to that collection at last week's conference championships, helping women's swimming and diving to a second-place finish for the team's eighth straight appearance in the top two.
"She also likes Happy Meals on Tuesdays," head coach Ray Looze said. "Most athletes are creatures of habit, but Lilly has got a confidence that is second to none. When she stands on the blocks, she's unafraid of anybody"
When King dove into the Canham Natatorium pool, about to compete for a Big Ten Championship, she was smiling.
That's because Evansville, Indiana, native went into the conference finals expecting to win. Between being pushed by teammate Miranda Tucker, who won Big Ten silver behind King in the 100- and 200-yard breaststrokes, and practicing with the men's team, King is used to beating swimmers who are better than her, Looze said.
That's what will give her an advantage at the NCAA Championships come mid-March, when King will look to capture the American record in the 100-yard breaststroke, which she finished just .12 seconds shy of in a Big Ten record 57.35 seconds — the third fastest time in the history of the event.
"She is a competitor," Looze said. "I hope we see someone (at NCAAs) who will give her a run for her money, because that's what brings out the best in Lilly."
Like King, No. 13 Indiana is hungry for its best performance of the season at NCAAs after finishing just short of No. 3 Michigan in the Big Ten Finals, hauling in six gold, six silver and four bronze medals in the process, including two individual and four total golds for King.
Looze said he is particularly proud of his team's performance in an Olympic year, which left the Hoosiers down arguably their best swimmer, Brooklynn Snodgrass, and best diver, Jessica Parratto, who redshirted the season to focus on the Canadian Olympic Trials and a shot at Rio de Janeiro.
It's where King has her sights set, too.
"At Indiana, we have Olympic level athletes," Looze said. "That's part of the territory, and you're going to have to navigate that every four years. We definitely want to put as many people on the U.S. team as possible, so a lot of what we do is really built into that."
As a junior in high school, King remembers telling the local paper she was "absolutely" not staying in state for her collegiate swimming career. The same year, she came to Bloomington on an unofficial to watch Indiana compete against Tennessee.
She wanted to see the Vols. She he fell in love with the Hoosiers.
Now, she has the opportunity to represent the Cream and Crimson on the podium at the NCAAs Championships in Atlanta — and perhaps even in the 2016 Olympic Games.
"I just knew it was home," she said.
King doesn't get nervous before races, and she doesn't celebrate after.
But when she saw her 100-yard personal record posted on the board at Big Tens, she made an exception. The Big Ten Freshman of the Year pumped her fists twice and slapped the water.
"Only being a tenth off the American record was pretty crazy," she said. "I kind of acted that way after the race."
Exiting the pool postrace, King looked over to her coach and delivered a message.
"I've got more left in the tank for you."
"You better," Looze said.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Lilly King doesn't get nervous before races.
She drinks a bottle of Coke.
The caffeinated beverage became a pre-race tradition for Indiana's freshman swimmer in 2014. Since then, she's won two state titles in the 100 and 200-yard breaststrokes, a silver medal at July's World University Games and a title at December's winter nationals.
She added Big Ten gold to that collection at last week's conference championships, helping women's swimming and diving to a second-place finish for the team's eighth straight appearance in the top two.
"She also likes Happy Meals on Tuesdays," head coach Ray Looze said. "Most athletes are creatures of habit, but Lilly has got a confidence that is second to none. When she stands on the blocks, she's unafraid of anybody"
When King dove into the Canham Natatorium pool, about to compete for a Big Ten Championship, she was smiling.
That's because Evansville, Indiana, native went into the conference finals expecting to win. Between being pushed by teammate Miranda Tucker, who won Big Ten silver behind King in the 100- and 200-yard breaststrokes, and practicing with the men's team, King is used to beating swimmers who are better than her, Looze said.
That's what will give her an advantage at the NCAA Championships come mid-March, when King will look to capture the American record in the 100-yard breaststroke, which she finished just .12 seconds shy of in a Big Ten record 57.35 seconds — the third fastest time in the history of the event.
"She is a competitor," Looze said. "I hope we see someone (at NCAAs) who will give her a run for her money, because that's what brings out the best in Lilly."
Like King, No. 13 Indiana is hungry for its best performance of the season at NCAAs after finishing just short of No. 3 Michigan in the Big Ten Finals, hauling in six gold, six silver and four bronze medals in the process, including two individual and four total golds for King.
Looze said he is particularly proud of his team's performance in an Olympic year, which left the Hoosiers down arguably their best swimmer, Brooklynn Snodgrass, and best diver, Jessica Parratto, who redshirted the season to focus on the Canadian Olympic Trials and a shot at Rio de Janeiro.
It's where King has her sights set, too.
"At Indiana, we have Olympic level athletes," Looze said. "That's part of the territory, and you're going to have to navigate that every four years. We definitely want to put as many people on the U.S. team as possible, so a lot of what we do is really built into that."
As a junior in high school, King remembers telling the local paper she was "absolutely" not staying in state for her collegiate swimming career. The same year, she came to Bloomington on an unofficial to watch Indiana compete against Tennessee.
She wanted to see the Vols. She he fell in love with the Hoosiers.
Now, she has the opportunity to represent the Cream and Crimson on the podium at the NCAAs Championships in Atlanta — and perhaps even in the 2016 Olympic Games.
"I just knew it was home," she said.
King doesn't get nervous before races, and she doesn't celebrate after.
But when she saw her 100-yard personal record posted on the board at Big Tens, she made an exception. The Big Ten Freshman of the Year pumped her fists twice and slapped the water.
"Only being a tenth off the American record was pretty crazy," she said. "I kind of acted that way after the race."
Exiting the pool postrace, King looked over to her coach and delivered a message.
"I've got more left in the tank for you."
"You better," Looze said.
Players Mentioned
Breast/IM
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Back/IM
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Multi
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