NEW BRITAIN--On most college campuses right now students are packing up to go home for summer or starting summer classes. But CCSU sophomore Maddy Garber is headed to the pool.
The sophomore Blue Devil is one of the top breast stroke swimmers in the country. And she's made it a long way: last summer she qualified for the 100-meter breast stroke for the Olympic trials, and now she's headed back to trials this summer for a chance to make it to Rio. Except this time, she's trying out for two events.
"To make it on the Olympic team you have to be top two in your event. So, I'm about 80th right now in both of my events, so we'll see where that brings me."
But she's not too concerned with her placement. "I just want to take in the experience, honestly, I never even thought i would get this far."
Garber was initially a freestyle swimmer her freshman year, but she barely made it to states. After being told she'd likely never make it back again, she followed in the footsteps of the person who gave her that hard truth and switched to breast stroke. It was an excellent move, apparently.
Garber has broken school records, and will head to Omaha, Nebraska in June for her chance to go to Rio this August.
