Sports
Athlete of the Week: Maggie Rosenbaum ’14
By Becca Hazlett '13, Sports Columnist
March 1, 2012
Sophomore sensation Maggie Rosenbaum finished first in the 200-yard backstroke and was named Swimmer of the Meet at the NESCAC championships on Feb. 19. Not only was she the first Hamilton female to ever receive the NESCAC Swimmer of the Meet award, but she also broke her own team record with a 1:59.94 time for the 200 back. More importantly, her results will send her to NCAA Division III Championships, a stage that is familiar to Rosenbaum. As a rookie last year, she was crowned a national champion in the 100-yard backstroke.
Rosenbaum started swimming competitively when she was seven years old. She said, “I couldn’t imagine life without it, so swimming in college was always part of the plan.” In fact, it seems Hamilton was part of her plan ,as well. She said she always knew she wanted to go to a Division III school that was close to home, and while she looked at many of the NESCAC schools, Hamilton was her top choice.
When Rosenbaum was a young athlete, Lenny Krayzelburg was her favorite swimmer. Although he is now retired, he was the best backstroke swimmer when she first began swimming. Rosenbaum said her idol’s “swimming career has a weird sentimental value” for her.
Family is a primary importance to this week’s athlete of the week; she said, “I have a very supportive family who I can count on for anything, and they really keep me going when I’m starting to lose it.” She also said there’s no team she’d rather spend countless hours with every week.
Teammate and senior Megan Gibbons remarked that Rosenbaum is, “very competitive, never backs down from a challenge and will keep pushing until she physically cannot anymore.” This self-motivation not only pushes Rosenbaum herself, but it also helps push everyone else on the team.
“Maggie demands the best from herself and that’s one of my favorite qualities of hers as a friend and as a teammate,” said Gibbons.
One thing that sets her apart from others is her humility. “She is a very gracious winner and she deserves everything she gets because of her hard work and dedication,” noted Gibbons. “Out of the pool, Maggie never fails to smile and she is very friendly and often goes out of her way to say hello to everyone she can.”
While Nationals will be another test for her, Rosenbaum is still very excited for the opportunity to compete at such a high level. In preparation for the event, she said, “I plan on keeping my head down and working hard until then, and just making sure I try to relax.”
Be sure to wish her the best of luck at Nationals!