WASHINGTON – Last weekend, the Georgetown University swimming & diving program sent four student-athletes to the U.S. Winter National Championships at the Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro, North Carolina. The meet, which featured some of the best swimmers in the country, was the first opportunity to qualify for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials. GUHoyas.com caught up with the four Hoyas to talk about their experience in Greensboro.
 
Sophomore Drew Carbone (Chelmsford, Mass. / Central Catholic) became the second Hoya in program history to qualify for the Olympic Trials, doing so in the 100- and 200-meter backstroke. Additionally, senior Seth Maslowski (Cary, N.C. / Green Hope) and freshmen Brett Sherman (Carmel, Ind. / Carmel) and Carlson Temple (San Diego, Calif. / Patrick Henry) also competed in six other events.
 
Senior Seth Maslowski
What was the experience like swimming at the U.S. Winter National Championships?
It was a fantastic experience. This was the highest-level meet that I have ever qualified for, and it was a great experience to race among some of the best in the country. We had a great group of guys who went, and it made for a fun weekend as well.
 
What does it mean to see the GU program grow to where four Hoyas are swimming on a national stage like last weekend?
This program has made huge strides since my class came in as freshmen. I credit Coach Jack Leavitt as well as the other seniors for fostering a focused culture. It means a lot to see the team have this kind of success, and I hope that the group that we bring to this meet grows in the future. The team is on the right track, and I'm excited to see what this team is capable of come February.
 
Sophomore Drew Carbone
What was the feeling of qualifying for the Olympic Trials in both backstroke events?
Olympic Trials has been a dream of mine ever since I started competing at 8 years old. When I hit the wall at the end of the 100 back and saw 56.46 on the board, all the work I put in the pool was rewarded. Going into the 200 back the next day, I felt that I had nothing to lose. There was no pressure, Coach told me just to swim my race and I will be fine. When I made the cut time that night, I was so hyped up. After the first race, it was like a happy, relieving experience. But after the second one, it was a lot more excitement and slap-the-water energy.
 
What will the next year and a half entail leading up to the trials in Omaha?
After qualifying and having such a successful meet, new goals come into focus. As much as the Trials in 2020 is on the radar, there are much more immediate goals. First and foremost, I want to help this team win its first BIG EAST title. It isn't going to be easy, as nearly every team there puts a very competitive squad forward. Coach has led us so well, and this team has worked so hard with this goal in mind. We all know what it is going to take, and how we need to prepare. As much as swimming is an individual race, it requires a team effort to win. I have individual goals for Trials, but winning the BIG EAST Championships is now the only focus. 
 
Freshman Brett Sherman
You advanced to the B final in the 400 IM, finishing 13th overall. What will you take with you from that experience?
Qualifying for the B final was certainly exciting. While I was hoping for more out of my times, being able to race and compete in the B final in the middle of the season was a big plus. After only a small rest period, I certainly took away lessons after each of my races that translate directly to changes during practice. Having previously competed at junior nationals, it was a nice step up to finally be competing with big name swimmers.
 
How will your experience at the U.S. Winter National Championships help with the rest of the Georgetown season?
Moving forward in the rest of the season, it is a nice reminder that the work I've put in thus far is paying off.  However I've got a long few months until Big Easts in February, and lots of work left to do. It's certainly a great experience to have under my belt, and I'm hoping to bring back energy and positivity to Georgetown as we make a final push before winter break.
 
Freshman Carlson Temple
How will this experience help you in future meets like the U.S. Winter National Championships?
The same three events I swam this weekend will be the same events I swim at our BIG EAST conference meet, and it will be the same schedule too. This weekend was a good practice at the run of events and it was training for swimming fast while still being tired from an earlier event.
 
As a freshman, did your experience in Greensboro change your goals or expectations for the next three years?
I came into Georgetown with the goal of getting my Olympic Trial cut, and was ecstatic when Drew Carbone got his. The meet revamped my motivation for Trials and I want to make sure we have the biggest team possible at that meet.