Ohio swimming and diving writer Luke O’Roark sat down with new coach Rachel Komisarz-Baugh and talked with her about the 2004 Olympics and what she is hoping to bring to the Bobcats after a season filled with turmoil and spending the past five seasons as a coach at Louisville.
Luke O’Roark: I know you were a gold medalist in the Olympics, how was your experience there?
Komisarz-Baugh: I don’t know if words can really describe the feeling you have in competing at the Olympics for your country. It’s pretty overwhelming, and when you’re experiencing and going through it, it’s kind of an out-of-body experience. I think it takes years down the road to actually realize the magnitude of what you’ve just done. It’s really hard to describe, it’s probably one of the most elated feelings you can have and just being able to put the suit and cap on that has “USA” on it.
LO: Do you like to show off your gold medal in public?
KB: (Laughs) No, I actually don’t. I like to show it, because I think in the swimming community, it can be pretty inspirational for younger kids to see that and realize that I’m a small town girl from a city outside Detroit, called Warren, and my dad was a truck driver and my mom was a stay-at-home mom. To know someone like me could go on in life and achieve something like this, it becomes a reality for a lot of people. If you can speak to younger swimmers, athletes and help them set their goals high, there’s no limitations on what they can do. I like to do those things, but you won’t see me walking around the pool with it on my neck.
LO: What drove you, or attracted you, to coaching?
KB: I think just everything I got out of this sport. If it wasn’t for swimming, I would’ve gone to community college and never moved out of the town. So, having the opportunity to go to college, get an education and have that paid for and just travel the world to see so many great things and people. The people who have contributed to that along the way, I just have such great memories and high respect for. I think everything the sport of swimming has given to me, it was my turn to give back. If I can have any bit of influence on my athlete’s life, like people had in my life, that’s being successful and that’s why I do it. It’s very rewarding to give back to a sport that’s given me so much.
LO: The Bobcats are kind of a team in transition, what are you hoping to bring to this program?
KB: Yeah, I mean we are in transition. I think there’s a lot of really talented athletes on this team, so I think the potential on this team, is pretty remarkable. What I’m trying to bring to them is a vision and some leadership. Helping them believe in their potential and their talent and reach that next step. I do have a vision to take that team to that next level. I coached other teams and I’ve been at that level myself and just empowering them and making sure they believe in themselves is really what I need to do.
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