Pirates, Milkshakes, and Freestyle Sprints

Name: Liam Mac Colla 

School: NEST+m

Grade: Junior 

Height: 6’4

Hair Color: Brown

Eye Color: Brown

Date of Birth: February 19, 2008

When and how did you start swimming? 

I started swimming casually for a small club about three days a week when I was around eight. I only got serious at the start of last year.

How did you learn about the All-Access program and why did you choose to participate in it? Do you find it difficult balancing going between both schools?

My dad heard about the program and suggested it. I was initially hesitant because I was already satisfied with my club and had never heard of open access. I also didn’t know anyone on the team, but I went with it for college. It is pretty easy to balance the two schools due to the coaches’ flexible scheduling and NEST’s school days ending an hour before Stuy’s. 

What are the differences you notice between swimming for your swimming team outside of Stuyvesant versus swimming for the Pirates, the Stuyvesant varsity swim team? Do the practices and meets differ much?

The varsity meets are over way quicker and have far less competition than club meets. In club, the only thing that matters is your individual time, but varsity is more about relays and scoring points for your team. The practices don’t differ as much, although varsity is more sprint focused due to the more limited event pool. We do shorter distances with higher intensity and longer recovery at Stuy. This is in the form of racing each other in practice. Swimming for club and for varsity are too different to accurately compare; club meets are more serious and push me way harder, and Stuy meets are fun and pretty chill.

What is your most memorable moment with the Pirates?

I would probably say winning the A Championship last year. It was a longer two-day meet with preliminary/final days that more closely resembled club meets. We beat a dozen other teams and the atmosphere at the announcement of our victory after all our effort was really hype. 

What strokes/events do you swim, and what skills/strengths are involved?

In club, I specialize in the 50/100 freestyle, while in the PSAL I do the 50/100/200-meter freestyle, 100-meter fly, and 100-meter back. I focus entirely on short distance sprints, which rely on quick bursts of strength, a good dive, and a lot of luck. A race like a 50 only takes 20 seconds, so it is crucial to have good reaction times, and you can’t mess up any aspect of it since there won’t be any way to make up the lost time.

In your opinion, what are the best and worst parts about swimming?

There’s nothing more satisfying than giving everything you’ve got against someone faster than you in your best event and winning, dropping a lot of time in the process. The worst part in my opinion is how massive a commitment it is since so much practice is needed just to not get worse, and the practices can be rough at times too.

Do you have any premeet superstitions or rituals?

Sometimes I drink a few milkshakes between prelims and finals at my club meets. My favorite flavor is chocolate. Other than that I just try to focus on my race and visualize my shortcomings. 

What do you think about when swimming? 

Depends on the event, I guess. In sprinting events, I’m only thinking about going as fast as I possibly can. During anything above 100 yards in distance, I just think about whatever random things are on my mind that day. 

What are your goals for this season? 

There’s a short course season with a 25-yard pool and a long course season with a 50-meter pool. They are the same-ish distance, but a long course takes more endurance because there are less walls. I plan on making the U.S. Open in the short course yards season and will try to get as close to the Olympic Trials as possible in the long course. 

Fun Questions: 

Funniest Teammate: Charlie Ding

Favorite Stroke: Freestyle 

Favorite Swimsuit: TYR Tech Suit 

Best Way to Gain Energy: Smelling Salts 

Favorite PostGame Meal/Snack: Any Chocolate Ice Cream 

Swimming on Full or Light Stomach: Just enough so I don’t get hungry

Hobbies: Playing video games, hanging out, lifting

Swimming Pet Peeve: Lapping people in sprint sets 

If You Could Play Any Other Sport: Mixed Martial Arts 

Motto to Live By: [EXPLETIVE] it