Cutlines“Travis Howard’s breaststroke recovery””Travis talks with UP writer Tom Glucksmann”
Ten to WatchThis week’s featured athlete is one of the top collegiate swimmers in the country, has a passion for water polo, and loves going to the beach. He’s emerged as FAU’s best breaststroker, and top contender to qualify for the NCAA championship meet this year. Last year his teammates voted him ‘hardest worker.’ “I’ve just got a fire inside of me, and I’m always motivated,” says Travis on why he works so hard.
Travis Howard #8Vital Stats
Height: 6’5 Weight: 220 Year: Sophomore Major: Business Fall GPA: 2.5 Born: Orlando, Fla. Hometown: Apopka, Fla. Parents: Alan and Tammy Howard
Meet Travis: “I hate to lose. I’m always trying to win, win, win. So that makes people think ‘oh, he’s cocky,’ but I’m not, it’s just what I want to do.” You get some idea of Travis’s ultra competitive nature from this quote. Only 20 years old this FAU swimmer is a breaststroke specialist. He was a high school All-American in both swimming and water polo for Lake Brantley high school. He chose FAU over FSU, because he liked the coaching staff better, and because, “I couldn’t go anywhere cold.” Other than the pool and school he says his girlfriend, swimmer Monica Mann, “takes up a lot of time.”
What they’re saying: “Travis is a lot of fun to work with. He’s very loyal to his teammates and coaches.” – Assistant coach Kelly Hubbard, on Travis’s personality.”Intensity, and he does everything I ask of him.” – Assistant coach Neal Studd, on Travis’s main strength.
This year? He finished third at last December’s Georgia Invitational against some of the nation’s best teams. He set a school record in the process, going 55.2 in the 100 breaststroke. His teammate Alex Berger was a tenth of a second slower, and they are chased by junior Antony Hine, the former school record holder. “If you slack off one set, someone’s catching you,” says Travis of his teammates and training partners. He’s made the ‘B’ cut for the NCAA championships, but needs to drop another half second to make sure he qualifies.
What now? If Travis qualifies for the NCAA championships, he will be the first FAU swimmer to do so in four years. Travis sets his goals high and says, “I hope to score at NCAAs this year – top 16, next year break into the top 8, and by senior year I hope to be top 3.” He will also be in the running to make some national teams this summer, and further down the road who knows? We may see Travis in Athens come 2004.
PULLOUT QUOTE: “I hate to lose. I’m always trying to win, win, win.” – Travis Howard
