DLN WINTER ALL-AREA: Downingtown East’s MacCausland caps career in grand style
UWCHLAN >> Downingtown East senior Heather MacCausland, the 2018-19 Daily Local News Girls Swimmer of the Year, closed her high school swimming career with a bang, tying for second place in 200 IM, finishing fourth in the 100 breast and breaking the state record in the 50 free as a lead-off swimmer in the 200 free.
“The energy at States is always really high and it is really cool to watch people take in the atmosphere and swim really fast,” said MacCausland. “I had so much fun with my team doing the relays. I would say my most vivid memory from States was just the excitement and pure happiness that I got to share with my teammates after our relays. I could not have asked for a better group of girls to spend my last high school States with.”
As the lead-off swimmer in the 200 free relay, she broke the state record in the 50 free with a speedy clocking of 22.67.
“Before the race, the energy was really high in the whole facility,” said MacCausland. “There was music playing, everyone was dancing, and our whole relay was just having a lot of fun. That really helped me get adrenaline and be ready to swim fast. I wanted to have a good leadoff because I knew if I did, then the rest of the relay would be set up well, so I was just trying to go as fast as I could for the rest of the girls.
“I definitely did not expect to go that fast, so I was really happy with it. I didn’t find out until a little later when we went back to our team area that I had gotten the record.”
Thanks in part to MacCausland’s efforts, Downingtown East finished sixth overall at the PIAA 3A state championships.
Downingtown East girls swimming head coach Gigi Graesser said, “Nothing rattles Heather, she doesn’t get stressed out easily. She loves and drives on competition and is always motivated to do her best for the team.”
At Districts, MacCausland won the 100 breast and was runner up in the 200 IM.
“I was really happy with my swims at Districts,” said MacCausland. “I think my best swim was my 100 breaststroke. I have always really enjoyed that race, so I kind of just went out and had fun with it.”
In addition, MacCausland was the All-Ches-Mont Girls Swimmer of the Year, compiling 684 power points. She ranked No. 1 in the Ches-Mont League for 200 IM (2:00.96) and 100 breast (1:02.48), and was part of the Cougars’ top-ranked 200 free relay and No. 2-rated 200 medley relay.
MacCausland began swimming at the age of 4 at the Lionville YMCA, where she was coached by Alex Baxter and Andrew Beggs.
“Alex basically taught me how to swim and has definitely contributed to the swimmer I am today, and I would consider Andrew to be my biggest mentor in swimming,” said MacCausland. “He always believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. I still ask him for advice whenever I need help or guidance.”
Later, she made the switch to Suburban Swim Club, where she is coached by Charlie Kennedy.
“Charlie is a very successful coach and I am very grateful to have the opportunity to be able to swim and learn from him,” said MacCausland.
Last year, MacCausland was part of a select swimming team that traveled to Ireland and represented the National Club Swimming Association and USA.
“This was a really eye-opening experience,” said MacCausland. “I had the opportunity to learn from a lot of great coaches and create friendships with people from all over the country.”
In a normal week of training, MacCausland will swim for two hours and 15 minutes Monday through Friday afternoons and three hours on Saturdays. In addition to her afternoon practices, she usually practices in the morning once or twice a week. She also does dryland training three times a week.
Next fall, MacCausland will swim for North Carolina State.
“When I visited NC State for the first time as a junior, the experience I had there was just so different than any of the other schools I visited,” said MacCausland. “The atmosphere and connection that the team has is just really awesome and I think it makes a big difference at practice and meets. You can tell that everyone there is working toward the same goal and I can’t wait to be a part of it.
“I also felt really comfortable with the whole coaching staff, you can tell they like to have a lot of fun and they all really care about their swimmers.”
Graesser said, “I’m looking forward to what Heather will achieve swimming at NC State.”
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FUN FACTS: Heather MacCauslan
Favorite TV show: Greys Anatomy.
Favorite athlete: Olivia Smoliga.
Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.
Favorite place to visit: Knoxville, Tenn.
Favorite pre-meet meal: Chicken parm.
Family members: parents Bryan and Debbie, brother Patrick.
