Stanford's McDonald Attempts to Separate Life from Swimming

By David Woods
Indianapolis StarMatt McDonald has embraced the Stanford University lifestyle.

He is an honor student in economics and treasurer of an eating club. He has an Italian roommate. He plays golf on the course where Tiger Woods honed his game.

McDonald, of Fishers, Ind., would have a rich college experience even without swimming. It is, in fact, the entire experience that has enriched his swimming.

"I try to find a way to totally separate the aspects of my life," he said. "I'm a person who does better swimming when I don't think about it all the time."

The 6-1, 190-pound junior has grown into a leader and become one of the team's most popular athletes, according to Stanford coach Skip Kenney. McDonald's most satisfying moments have come on champion relay teams and as a contributor to Stanford's record 23 straight Pac-10 titles.

McDonald is allowing himself to be preoccupied with swimming this summer because he is preparing for the 100-meter butterfly at next month's U.S. Olympic Trials at Long Beach, Calif.

It was four years ago, as a Hamilton Southeastern High School junior, when he unexpectedly finished 13th in the trials at Indianapolis.

McDonald played baseball, tennis and basketball in his youth before concentrating on swimming in high school. Then he won three state championships. He was the nation's fastest in the butterfly in 2001, a year in which he was a high school Swimmer of the Year.

When he started at Stanford, he started over. He was the No. 4 butterfly swimmer on his team. By the end of the season, he was fourth in the NCAA Championships in the 100 and 200 butterfly.

Kenney said McDonald has developed an underwater kick that is perhaps second only to that of Phelps. McDonald went so hard in one practice that he passed out under water.

"Somebody had to go get him," said Andy Pedersen, who coached McDonald at Hamilton Southeastern. McDonald is approaching the end of a four-year plan that his high school coach developed early in 2000.

McDonald said he has never been more confident in his swimming. And if he wants to relieve anxiety, he can cross the road, pay an $18 fee and play golf on a beautiful course.

"I love this school and the things I've gotten from it," he said.

This story is excerpted from the Indianapolis Star. For the complete version click here.