Before her first year in Berkeley was ever been on,” she said. “I had a complete, Pelton clearly exhibited the blast just soaking up the atmo‘‘We’re all helping sphere. It wasn’t as much about results of her newfound attitude and the benefits of training under Cal head each other get bet- the swimming as it was just the coach Teri McKeever. whole process and letting the In her first home meet vs. Texas at ter. I’ve never been swimming just come to me.” Spieker Aquatics Center, Pelton blazed Adding to Pelton’s enjoypushed like this to a pool record in the 200-yard back. ment was the success she had, before. I’ve never coming home with a pair of The result prompted McKeever to state: “She’s a fierce competitor. She brings a been challenged gold medals from the 400 free lot of determination, and that’s contarelay and 400 medley relay. like this before, gious for everybody.” She also reached the finals in Pelton continued to roll throughout and it’s the great- two individual events, placing the season. In early March, she reset fourth in the 100 back and fifth est feeling. It’s the American record in the 200 back in the 200 back. at the Pac-12 Championships. A short As the 2013-14 swimming already paying off while later, she added Pac-12 Freshseason unfolds for the Bears, because you have Pelton finds herself among perman/Newcomer of the Year and Pac12 Swimmer of the Year awards to her to be on your game haps the most talented corps of collection. backstrokers ever assembled every time.” At the NCAA Championships, Pelton on one collegiate squad. Senior claimed the Swimmer of the Meet title - Elizabeth Pelton Cindy Tran was the NCAA 100 after another American record in the back champion in 2011 and 200 back along with run’12, while sophomore Rachel ner-up finishes in the 200 Bootsma claimed the 100 title IM and 200 free. last spring. Of course, Pelton “I’ve had times when my has her own NCAA crown in performance has suffered,” the 200 back. And then there’s Pelton said. “But at NCAAs, Franklin, the reigning Olympic I just thought, ‘let’s go for and world champion in the 100 it like when I was younger.’ and 200 back. That’s when the best things “My motivation and level of happen. That’s what Teri expectation for myself are highhas been stressing a lot lateer than ever,” Pelton said. “If ly. Why don’t you just swim like you they beat me (in practice), then were a little kid and you’re so excitshoot, they might beat me in ed about swimming? That’s what I a meet. We’re all helping each love about the sport, the excitement other get better. I’ve never been of competing. It’s like you are going pushed like this before. I’ve nevback to your roots.” er been challenged like this beThe NCAA results set the stage for fore, and it’s the greatest feeling. this past summer’s World ChampiIt’s already paying off because onships trials. With her rising conyou have to be on your game evfidence and underdog mentality, ery time. It’s preparing you for Pelton entered the meet relaxed and Elizabeth Pelton set an American record in competition down the road.” the 200 backstroke as a freshman in 2013. ready. Pelton relishes the tests she “If I make the team, I’m the one receives from her teammates that’s going to defy the odds,” she thought. “I’m the daily and is already seeing results. Many of the returnone that’s going to make a headline. It was super-mo- ing swimmers are well ahead of where they were at tivating to go into that meet and try to make a name the same point last season. But Pelton believes it’s far for myself.” too early to make any predictions for the end of the By the end of the competition, Pelton had done just year when Cal will be aiming for its fourth NCAA team that. She took second in the 100 and 200 back (to crown in the past six years. For now, she just want to soon-to-be Cal teammate Missy Franklin in both cas- come prepared to swim at each and every practice. es), as well as fifth in the 200 IM and sixth in the 100 “If I’m not mentally into it, I’ll have to get myself into it,” free. When time for the world meet in Barcelona came she said. “It’s good competition in practice with no hard around at the end of July, Pelton relied on her past feelings. We’re having a blast. The atmosphere of the experience and brought a broader perspective to the team is really cool. I don’t know how much we’re going championships. to accomplish or how well we’re going to do. But I feel “It was amazing, the most fun national team trip I’ve the opportunities are kind of endless these days.”
winter 2013-14
15