University of Minnesota Athletics
Meet the Newcomers: Tara Chapman
10/20/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
MINNEAPOLIS - The Gopher women's swimming and diving team welcomes seven new student-athletes to the 2016-17 squad. This week GopherSports.com features Tara Chapman, a native of Lino Lakes, Minn.
Chapman joins the team after swimming for Centennial High School under head coach Chip Fechter. During her time there, she set Centennial High School records in the 100 breaststroke SCY (1:03.53), the 200 IM SCY (1:04.90), and the 100 freestyle SCY (51.21). Chapman earned All-America honors three times, while also earning All-State five times.
Aside from at Centennial High School, Chapman also swam for the Great Wolf Swim Team under coach Dave Bentz. She will be competing in events including the breaststroke and IM this season.
Gopher Sports: What are you most looking forward to about being a Gopher athlete?
Tara Chapman: I think our team goals are a big thing. It's exciting to be on such a high-level team where we are really focused and working toward winning Big Ten in the years that I am here.
GS: What do you hope to accomplish this season?
TC: My first year I want to improve my times. I can already feel myself improving with the new coaching. I would say I want to be on the Big Tens team. They have C-Final heats now, making a final in that would be cool.
GS: What are you most looking forward to this season?
TC: I'm looking forward to all of the meets. We have a lot of team spirit, so I think that will be really fun.
GS: In high school, how did it feel to earn multiple All-America honors?
TC: It was great. I worked hard for it every season. Seeing it pay off at the end was a pretty cool thing.
GS: How do you think earning top spots in major meets in the past has helped you prepare for your college career?
TC: Being at big meets and racing under high pressure situations has helped with everything preparing for college. It helped get my name out there.
GS: How do you feel about the upcoming season?
TC: I think it is going to be a great season and I hope people will be watching for some great things to come out of it!
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Players Mentioned
