Agnes Irwin swimmer Myka Thomas is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
The Agnes Irwin junior currently holds eight school swimming records. At Easterns, she set school records in the 50 free and 100 free, where she finished 10th and 6th, respectively. At the InterAc Championships, she placed fourth in the 50 free and second in the 100 free. She also was part of the school record-setting 200 free relay and 400 free relay teams that each finished fourth at Easterns and third at the InterAc Championships.
Q: What do you think is your best event and why?
A: As of right now, I think my best event is the 100 freestyle. Personally, I like sprinting, and the 100 is long enough that one mistake won’t ruin the race (like in a 50), but is short enough that you can never slow down. Throughout the years, my 100 has been the race that consistently improves, and I think it will continue to get better with hard work.
Q: What was the key to your post-season success in the 50 free and 100 free?
A: In the past season, there have been big changes in my workout routine because I have switched teams (from Serpents Swim Team to Salvation Army Kroc Aquatics). This change in my training has pushed me to places I didn’t know I could go and helped me achieve times that were once just a thought, but now a reality.
Q: What (in your opinion) was the key to the success of the free relay teams at Easterns and InterAcs?
A: I know every single person in all of our relays had been training extremely hard this season, and our hard work in and out of the pool was exemplified during these races. Also, we are extremely competitive. Every time we went into a race we told ourselves who we were going to beat, and that was what we were determined to do.
Q: What was your most memorable experience at Easterns – can you share it with us?
A: I think my most memorable experience at Easterns was the 400 free relay this year. Entering the race, we knew we wanted to beat GA since they beat us by less than an second at InterAcs. Throughout the whole race it was back and forth between us and GA, but our anchor, Riley Flick, was able to hold them off to secure our fourth-place finish. I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited for a race than this one.
Q: What (in your opinion) has been your best swim during this season for Agnes Irwin, and why?
A: I think my best swim this season for Agnes Irwin was my leg in the 400 free relay at Easterns this year. After starting behind, I was able to move us up to fourth place, and we never let the lead go. I swam my heart out and my split was way faster than I thought I was going to go.
Q: Can you walk us through a typical day, or cycle, of training?
A: I practice six days out of the week. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I practice from 5:30-7 a.m. and from 4-6:30 p.m. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I have practice from 4-6 p.m. and NovaCare, my team’s dryland program, until 7 p.m. Lastly, on Saturdays, I practice from 7-10:30 a.m. Every day our team gets in between 10,000-15,000 yards.
Q: What pool did you first swim for? What is your favorite swimming venue, and why?
A: I first swam for the Serpents Swim Team in West Philadelphia starting in seventh grade. My favorite swimming venue would be LaSalle’s pool because I have done some of my best times there, specifically at Easterns.
Q: Who have been your biggest swimming mentors, and what was the most important thing each of them taught you?
A: My biggest swimming mentors have been my father, and my current and former coaches Jim Ellis and Boston Barry, respectively. As my first coach, Boston Barry taught me a lot of things, and created a foundation for the rest om swimming career. My current coach Jim Ellis has taught me a lot about being mentally strong and how the sport is mind over matter. Lastly, my dad has helped me realize my goals by continuing to tell me what I can reach.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-meet preparation the day of a meet.
A: I really just like to focus and visualize my races the day of a meet. I don’t have many rituals, but I like to just sit with my headphones and think about what I have to do that day.
Q: What colleges are among your current favorites? What do you think you might like to major in at college?
A: As of right now, I like Howard University, and I think I want to major in marketing and communications.
Q: Do you participate in any other extracurricular activities at Agnes Irwin? What sparked your interest in these activities?
A: I am the Vice President of our BSU (Black Student Union). I became interested in BSU my freshman year because I didn’t have one at my own school and it seemed really interesting.
Fun facts – Myka Thomas
Favorite TV show: Gossip Girl.
Favorite movie: The Blind Side.
Favorite pre-meet pump-up song: Bonfire – Childish Gambino.
Favorite pre-meet meal: Any type of pasta.
Favorite color: Blue.
Family members: April (mom), Michael (dad), Michael (brother).
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
