Surhoff impresses at Big 12 Swimming and Diving Championships
March 5, 2010 Caitlin Mangum, Texas Media Relations As he readied for his first conference championship meet on Feb. 24, UT freshman swimmer Austin Surhoff wasn’t concerned with times or even results—just his teammates. “I just wanted to hang with the big boys on the team,” Surhoff said. “I think that was the main thing that got me to where I was at this meet. I wanted to be among the other guys on the team that are doing so well, and it happened.” Happened might very well be an understatement, as Surhoff destroyed his personal best times and secured a trip to the NCAA Championships later this month. “It was quite a rush for me,” Surhoff said. “I have been building up that meet to be something pretty cool all year, and it definitely exceeded those expectations.” The Cockeysville, Md., native did not waste any time during the first night of league competition, posting a NCAA automatic-qualifying mark in a 100-yard backstroke time trial. The next day, Surhoff broke Ricky Berens' meet record in the 200-yard individual medley, claiming the event in 1:43.26— the fastest time in the country. He earned a second NCAA automatic cut in the 400 IM in 3:43.19, the second-fastest time in the country behind teammate Bryan Collins. He also closed the meet with a win in the 200 backstroke. Surhoff claims that Berens and Collins helped him succeed with their veteran leadership and that they welcomed the competition. “Leadership from the upperclassmen is everything for me,” Surhoff said. “Ricky Berens and Bryan Collins were the two biggest factors for me because they are the guys I was racing, especially Bryan, who was in all three races with me. I just wanted to hang with them in those races.”
Not only was Surhoff able to “hang,” but he was named the Big 12 Men's Newcomer of the Meet. Texas men’s swimming and diving assistant coach Kris Kubik was impressed by Surhoff’s accomplishments at the Big 12 Championships. “Austin’s performances exceeded the coaching staff’s expectations,” Kubik said. “He was known as a great racer when he came to Texas, and he proved that to be 100 percent fact with his performances over the weekend. He not only established personal best times; he went on to shatter those personal best times, and that does not happen very often.” Surhoff credits Kubik and UT head men’s swimming and diving head coach Eddie Reese with knowing “exactly what [he] needs” in order to be successful. Coaching, coupled with hard work, allowed Surhoff to achieve his dream of reaching NCAAs. “I think night one at Big 12s when I got my “A cut” was the first time it came over me that I made the NCAA Championships.” Surhoff said. “It was one of the better feelings that I have ever had, and I just remember feeling like everything I have done up to this point had finally worked out. It was a feeling of relief that I cannot really compare to anything else.” Looking forward, Kubik feels that Surhoff has a great chance to be a factor at the NCAA Championships. “We anticipate, as we go into NCAAs, that he will have a good opportunity to be in the mix in the finals of all of his events,” Kubik said. “We are very proud of the way Austin performed, and we hope he can keep it up.” Regardless of his performances at NCAAs, Surhoff has quickly embraced the concept of “Texas family” and the opportunity to wear burnt orange proudly. “He knows the eyes of Texas are upon him,” Kubik said. “He understands what that means, and he certainly accepts that role. He has done a great job.” |
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