Lower Merion swimmer Sarah Silberg is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
The senior swimmer and captain is off to a great start for the Aces. In Lower Merion’s first meet of the season, Silberg won both of her individual events, and made district automatic qualifying times in both events (200 free and 100 fly). Against Haverford, she tallied two more individual victories in the 200 IM and 100 free, earning District One consideration times in both. After the Aces’ first two meets, she has earned two automatic times (100 fly, 200 free) and two consideration times (200 IM, 100 free). She also was a member of the 200 medley relay that shattered the school record (by more than four seconds) and broke the pool record as well. Lower Merion swimming coach Jeremy Byrne said, “Sarah has been a standout swimmer for [Lower Merion] for four years and started her senior campaign with an inspirational performance.”
Q: Lower Merion’s 200 medley relay set a school record (by more than four seconds) and a pool record against Haverford High. Did you sense during your segment of the relay that your team might set the record? What was the key to your relay team’s success that day?
A: I knew this year we had an extremely talented group of ladies on our team and that record was going down. Walking up to the blocks I could feel it that was going to be the race, and it was the best feeling to look up at the board and see that record shattered.
Q: What (to you) has been your most memorable experience in your Lower Merion swimming career? Can you share it with us?
A: It was back in freshman year, when I qualified for my first district event. I remember it was at Garnet Valley and I was so nervous for my race but I had a feeling that I was going to do really well and when I dove in the pool I just completely went for it. To be honest I don’t even remember the race, the feeling afterwards though was amazing – the whole team was freaking out and my coach gave me the biggest hug.
Q: What do you think is your best event, and what do you think are your particular keys to success in that event?
A: My best event is probably the 100 butterfly or the 500 free. All I gotta say is, “Work those walls.”
Q: Can you walk us through a typical day, or cycle, of training?
A: I swim every night from 5:30 until 8:15 p.m., and on Tuesday and Saturday mornings I swim at 5:30 a.m. There are also meets sporadically in there, too.
Q: What aspect of your swimming have you been working on the most recently?
A: I’ve been working on my under-waters the most recently, because you have to catch them when they least expect it. When you’re flipping into the wall, you aren’t really looking around to see where everyone else is, so if I can snipe the competition at the last minute and win, I will.
Q: What pool did you first swim for? What is your favorite swimming venue, and why?
A: The first pool I swam for was the GCC in 2003 (I was 5), for a summer league. I was awful and could barely make it across the pool but I love it more than anything. I would be the first one in and the last one out everyday for that entire summer. Currently, my favorite swimming venue is Bucknell University because the pool is beyond words.
Q: Who have been your biggest swimming mentors, and what was the most important thing each of them taught you?
A: My coach at Penn Charter [Aquatic Club] has been my biggest mentor because she really helped me to get to the level I am at now. The most important thing she has taught me over the past five years, is that not every race is your best race, and that no one ever has a perfect race.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-meet preparation the day of a meet.
A: Usually for club meets (U.S.S meets) I just roll out of bed in my pajamas and sleep in the car until we get to the meet venue. For high school, there is a lot of pasta involved. It’s pretty much every meal leading up to the race.
Q: What (to you) has been the highlight of your swimming career outside of Lower Merion (Penn Charter Aquatic Club, etc.)?
A: At a meet [Dec. 19-20] I went in expecting to come in second for the 200 butterfly, but I took the girl down in finals and went a best time by over four seconds.
Q: Do you participate in any other extracurricular activities at Lower Merion? What sparked your interest in these activities?
A: I am one of the head editors of the yearbook, I am an active member of our Amnesty International club, and I am on the prom committee. I really love being involved all across the board and these clubs really let me express myself and have school spirit at the same time!
Fun Facts – Sarah Silberg
Favorite book: The Help.
Favorite author: John Green.
Favorite TV show: Friends.
Favorite movie: 21 Jump Street.
Favorite athlete: Jordan Matthews.
Favorite pre-meet pump-up song: Eye of the Tiger.
Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.
Favorite place to visit: The beach.
Favorite pre-meet meal: “Pasta all day, every day.”
Favorite color: Pink.
Person you most admire, and why: “My mom is the most incredible person in my life. She has been the most amazing mom, best friend, supporter and sass master for as long as I can remember and I would be absolutely nowhere in my swimming and high school career without her.”
Birth date: October 24, 1997.
Birth place: Philadelphia.
Family members: sister Sydney, parents (Jon and Karen).
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
