FAIRBANKS, Alaska -- It wasn't the finish that Martha Hood was hoping for at the 2016 Speedo Sectionals, as the swimmer failed to hit the Olympic Trails qualifying time in the 50-meter freestyle. But that won't discourage the Alaska Nanooks All-American sophomore as she prepares to move forward and continue on her already outstanding Nanooks swimming career.
Hood, a North Pole, Alaska native, entered into the Speedo Sectionals in Federal Way, Washington last weekend with hopes of hitting the 26.19 time standard in the 50-meter freestyle. She had six attempts at qualifying in the Evergreen State, but despite a valiant effort, Hood ultimately fell short of her goal.
The naturally upbeat Hood put the past weekend's experience into the proper perspective, and knows that the entire experience benefit her down the road, as she prepares for the final two seasons of her collegiate career.
"I learned a lot about myself and my swimming during this process," stated Hood. "The training for this was extremely unique, because I was in the pool by myself. While I didn't make the time, it was still a good experience. I was in the pool with people who had already made the qualifying time, so there was a lot of fast swimming going on, and swimming in those races will only make me better."
Hood's closest time came during her first race, where she was timed at 26.80 during the first 50-meters of the 100-meter freestyle last Thursday. She timed in at 26.87 during Friday's 50-meter time trail and took a mental break on Saturday to refocus herself for Sunday's 50-meter freestyle. She posted a 27.03 in Sunday's final race, ending her dream of Olympic glory, for now.
"It wasn't for lack of focus or commitment," said head coach Scott Lemley about Hood being unable to reach the Olympic Trails qualifying time. "She did everything I've asked of her since last June when she committed to training twice a day all summer. She's had a lot of success during this past year, which should be noted. I think by this past weekend, we just tried to taper her one too many times."
The swimmer from North Pole's run at the Speedo Sectionals capped off a tremendous 2015-16 season for the Alaska Nanooks swim team. Hood broke a 16-year-old USA Swimming Alaska state record in late January, and she was one of the cornerstone swimmers for an Alaska Nanooks swim team that recorded the program's highest ranking – 11th – in the College Swimming Coaches Association of American Poll this season. The All-American will use the momentum she developed this season to roll into the final two years of her collegiate career, as the Nanooks will now be able to return to the postseason next year after an NCAA ban prevented them from competing in this year's Championship.
"Now that we can go back to NCAA's, my goal for now is to qualify for them," said Hood. "This whole experience has given me a lot of confidence. I want to get back to the NCAA Championships and prove that I am a fast swimmer."
Hood, who is just 20 years old, has not let this past weekend's failures deter her from lifetime goal of reaching the Olympic Trials. She is determined to train again for the 50-meter freestyle and hopes to qualify for the Trails in four years.
"I think four years of knowing what I'm working towards is going to help me a lot. This one kind of snuck up on me. I hadn't planned on training for the Olympic Trails until this past summer, so I had less than a year to train. I have two years left as a collegiate swimmer, and it's good to know that my competitive career will still continue and I'll have a big life goal to work on once I'm done here at Alaska."
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