MacGuire McDuff reflects on experience at Olympic Trials

SAINT JOHNS, Fla. -- Fresh off his races during last week's U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Indianapolis, former Parkersburg South swimmer Macguire McDuff feels he has checked just about every box in his career.

Needing to place in the top six to qualify for a berth in the upcoming Summer Games in Paris, McDuff competed in the finals of the 100 freestyle against seven other finalists in front of a nationally-televised audience and another 30,000 fans at Lucas Oil Stadium.

McDuff placed eighth in what was the fastest-ever 100 finals, stuck around for the rest of the week-long schedule of racing and embraced the experience outside the stadium in what resembled on a smaller scale the Olympic village for the athletes.

"I've been to nationals before, and it was super cool swimming against those guys, who are also my good friends," McDuff said. "I was pretty upset being so close. It was frustrating, but when I look back at the journey I know I can be proud of the path I was put on by my coach so long ago.

"It was a fun journey. I look back and even though I didn't convert it makes me happy."

McDuff enters his senior year at the University of Florida where he has helped carry on the school's strong tradition in the pool. This past season, the Gators won their 12th consecutive Southeastern Conference men's title - which ranks one shy of the league record also owned by Florida.

McDuff's contribution to the title included swimming a leg on four first-place relays and adding an individual win in the 200 freestyle.

"Winning an individual title at the SEC is something I've always wanted to do," McDuff said.

At the NCAA Championships, McDuff earned All-American status competing on the winning 200 medley and 200 free relays, taking second in the 400 free relay and fourth in the 800 freestyle relay.

Adding a 13th SEC title in his final season with Florida would fit in nicely as part of his final chapter at the school.

"Of course, the goal is to win a national title," McDuff said. "My teammates are really special. This is what we have worked toward in the college season. I tend to over-react a little when I touch the wall and we've set a national record. These guys on the relays are my best friends. We hang out on the weekends. They are exceptional teammates.

"This is my final season, my one last ride. I look forward to it being a fun one. It's been a special thing being part of the team for so long."

Inquire whether McDuff expected to make such an impact in the swimming world, depends when the question was asked. In the past year, he would admit he is right where he felt his path would play out all along. Travel back in time several years, and the answer would be different.

"My career has been steadily improving, fighting for that Olympic spot," McDuff said. "If you had asked me five years ago when I was in West Virginia if I would make the Olympic Trials, I would have laughed. The answer all depends when you ask me. I try to take one step at a time."

McDuff remains connected with Parkersburg. Last year, he helped run a camp with Parkersburg South swim coach Ryan Radcliff. McDuff has friends - both swimming-based and school-based - throughout West Virginia.

"Coach Ryan is one of my best friends," McDuff said. "At first, he was my coach. Then we became really good friends. He has done so much for me. It's fun to see how successful his teams can be. Makes me a little jealous, but I am happy for them."

Coach Radcliff spread the word about McDuff's upcoming swims at the Olympic Trials. One week ago on a Wednesday night with NBC televising the finals at night, McDuff exited the red room and made sure to look for his family in the stands.

"It was such a super cool experience," McDuff said. "I'm swimming against these guys who are also good friends. We are in a football stadium swimming in a pool in front of 30,000 people.

"There was a lot of pressure - I was super excited and super nervous. As you get on the block, it was nerve wracking."

The previous day in the semifinal heats for the 100 freestyle, McDuff sets a personal best time of 48.04 seconds - eclipsing his old mark by four-hundredths of a second. He turns in the sixth fastest time and sets up shop in lane 7 for the finals.

Over the first 50 meters, McDuff matches the rest of the field stroke for stroke. As swimmers make the turn at the wall for the second half of the race, McDuff gets caught up in a big wave. He tries to fight through but finished in eighth place.

"When you have all of us big guys in the water, we make a big wave of water into the wall," McDuff said. "That doesn't happen swimming against people not as fast as yourself. I remember my coaches telling me the wave will be there. I got smacked in the face and struggled to get home. I was proud of how I swam - I wouldn't do anything different.""

McDuff is spending the better part of the summer with his family in Florida - the same individuals who made the trip to Indianapolis to watch him at Lucas Oil Stadium.

"My family has been super supportive - they've put no expectations on me," McDuff said. "They have been proud of me through this whole experience. I'm so happy to have them. They were the ones spending all the money for my swimming and getting me to all my practices."

McDuff will definitely tune in to the Summer Games and watch his good friends compete for gold under head coach Anthony Nesty, who is also the men's and women's head coach at Florida.

"I hope the team does really well - it will be bittersweet but we are all good friends at the end of the day," McDuff said.

Whether another attempt at the U.S. Time Trials is in store four years down the road, that question is open for discussion for another day.

"Literally, I feel like I've accomplished what I set out to do in the sport," McDuff said. "I'm really enjoying the process. The main goal is to have fun with it."

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com