Dec. 12, 2007
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sophomore swimmer Wes Going (St. Louis, Mo./St. Louis University High), has been an impact performer since coming to campus in 2006, anchoring a 400 medley relay quartet that broke the school record at the BIG EAST Conference Championship during his freshman season. He also posted the second best times in school-history in the 100 Backstroke (53.16) and 200 Backstroke (1:53:66). In between juggling Navy ROTC, final exams and swimming practice, the high-achieving St. Louis native found time to sit down with the Hoya Headliner.
HH - So how did you get recruited here?
WG: I met Claire Nugent, whose a senior now and she got me interested. (Head Coach) Steve (Cartwright) got to talk to me and I got to know the team on the weekend I visited and it was a really good fit for me. Also, the academics were a good fit and I ended up getting a Navy ROTC scholarship.
HH - How was your Freshman Dorm experience?
WG: I was in New South and it was amazing, I wish I was still there. We had a great floor atmosphere and I'm still friends with everyone there. It's by far the best freshman dorm there is, no matter what anyone says...
HH - What was the best moment in your young swimming career so far?
WG: During the BIG EAST (Championship) last year in the 400 Team Medley relay we were able to break the team record. I was the anchor, and it was cool being able to touch the wall and say we did it.
HH - What has been your most embarrassing moment?
WG: There's been a lot, usually every day there's something I do that's embarrassing.
HH - Who is your biggest rival?
WG: Probably Villanova. Last year they hadn't won a meet in a while and they treated our meet like a championship because we were undermanned. They hung a bulldog and that made us mad. Then this year they shaved and tapered again for our meet. We should be able to beat them at BIG EAST, they only beat us at 9 points last year.
HH - Who on the team do you rely on the most?
WG: Dan (Robinson) and Goran (Bistric) are really approachable and I go to them for advice, also our girls captain Claire, she's been mentoring me since before I came here. They treat us as equals and we all hang out. It's nice because you can go to them for anything.
HH - What song gets you pumped up before games?
WG: I have a playlist. But usually classic rock, some Alice in Chains, really anything just to get my heart rate up.
HH - If you could get front row tickets to any concert, now or in the past, which would it be?
This summer my brother and I got my Dad tickets to see the Police for Father's Day. That was the best concert I ever saw. So I'd say the Police.
HH - Have you started to think about what you want to do after graduation?
I'm going to be commissioned in the Navy, we'll see how that goes, but it will be a pretty cool experience. Maybe some grad school.
HH - What is your dream job?
In the Navy maybe as a Riverene, which is a more hand-to-hand combat job that deal with International Piracy. Outside of the Navy maybe the CEO of a company or maybe a baseball announcer.
HH - Who were your favorite athletes growing up?
WG: Being from St. Louis I'm a big baseball fan, so I looked up to Stan Musial. I'd wear number six when I played water polo. Guys like Ozzie Smith and some of the other great Cardinals, too.
HH - What was your first favorite sport growing up?
WG: Baseball. My Dad played in college and was always my coach as a kid. But I stopped playing in about eighth grade and concentrated on more aquatic sports like water polo.
HH - What do you consider to be your biggest fear?
That I've wasted opportunity or I haven't taken full advantage of something that's been given to me.
HH - Any advice for anyone who wants to join swimming?
Have patience with everything, practices, yourself and coaches. Things take time and you won't see the results right away, but if you're dedicated and do the work everything will come together.
