Marquette University Athletics
Question And Answer Session With Senior Sisters
11/4/2002 12:00:00āÆAM | Cross Country
Nov. 4, 2002
Milwaukee-- Senior twin sisters, Jessie and Jackie Swan, members of the 20th ranked, 2002 Conference-USA champions, Marquette cross country team, recently sat down for an interview to talk about their cross country season. The sisters have had a solid season, both routinely placing in the top of Marquette finishers. They were both named to the all-conference after their finish at the Nov. 2, C-USA Championships in Hattiesburg, MS. Jessie tied her season-best performance and placed second overall with her 21:06 mark. Jackie finished 5th with her time of 21:30. Jessie was also named C-USA athlete of the week on Sept. 9th.
Are you happy with your performance so far this season?
Jessie: I'm pretty happy. It's the way any senior wants to go out-I've been pretty consistent. It's really exciting to be on a team with the senior leadership like we have (both Swan sisters and Susan Barth).
Jackie: Definitely, team-wise especially. Individually, you know what effort you put in in the summer, and for me it's great to be injury free. Team-wise I never would have expected the freshmen to show up like this, it's really exciting. I'm surprised, but at the same time I'm not at all.
Did you set any goals in the beginning of the season?
Jessie: We always kind of joke around about that. When we made it to Nationals two years ago, we finished low and then we were ranked 15th last year and we finished in the top 20. At the rate we're going we'll finish in the top ten! There's no doubt we want to go again.
Jackie: Individually, I'm just starting to figure things out with the 6-K courses. I just look at times. I wanted to break 22 minutes which I've done. Now I just take it week by week, I'm racing better every week. Team-wise, I knew we had some good freshmen coming in but they've blown my mind. They work so hard. I see them doing things it's taken me five years to figure out. I'm excited for them. We really stepped up this year without Brianna (Dahm). This shows that Marquette was never a one-person team.
Have you changed anything about your running style this year?
Jessie: I haven't changed anything in training or running but being a leader is helping me. Knowing we didn't have Brianna coming back, people have stepped up. It was nice having Jackie (Swan) to train with over the summer. We keep getting more and more confidence.
Jackie: Injury wise, there is a difference this season. I've figured out what is good for me. Injuries have always set me back, but his past year I've been pretty healthy. Now that I'm healthy and have a base in fitness, I'm figuring out what I need to do mentally. Because I'm more confident in my fitness level I think I can push through things that I couldn't before.
Does it matter who finishes first on the team between the seniors?
Jessie: It's not really a big issue who finishes first, second or third. We use it as a positive, we never really focus on who will finish first, because it could be any one of us. We help each other and that's all we can do as a team.
"I can't even imagine not having her on my team, we've been on the same team since high school." Jessie Swan |
How do you prepare for the upcoming meets?
Jessie: We have worked really hard this season and now we just kind of back off. We just need to keep tuning up our speed, shortening our runs making them shorter and faster. The main thing is believing in our training and relaxing. We need to have confidence and go into each meet with confidence.
Jackie: Work out wise we're tapering off. In the summer you do the bulk of endurance training. We're trying to get back further down in mileage. Mentally, I'd like to take it a little more seriously. I get more nervous (at the end of the season) but when I get over-nervous I don't race as well. You have to learn to just take it like any other race.
What does it feel like to have your twin sister on your team?
Jessie: I can't even imagine not having her on my team, we've been on the same team since high school. It's always been something that's been helpful to both of us. This year I've thought more about being twins with the freshmen set of twins (Emond sisters). Watching them sometimes makes me realize more how wonderful it is that my twin sister is on the same team as I am-having someone who understands you, who can tell by looking at you how you're feeling, if you're having a good day or bad day. It's special.
Jackie: I've never not run with her. It's something I really didn't realize was so cool until this year (having the Emond sisters). I just look at them and am reminded of how we're the same. I look at her as the same as my other teammates, but we're closer because we are siblings. It's good and bad because I look at her and think I should be running the same as she is, but it's a motivational tool, if Jessie can do it I can.
What are your feelings as you near the end of season?
Jessie: I've been running since high school it's sad to think that I won't be doing this anymore. I go to each meet sad thinking it's going to be my last and at the same time I can go to the tough workouts saying, "Ha ha, this is the last time I have to do this!"
 Jackie Swan  | |
Jackie: Being a fifth-year senior, I've been dodging the bullet of it being the last year, but Jess and I are looking at each other realizing it's our last one. I guess it's not that bad because of track. I realize it but I'm not registering it because I have another semester of school and another season of track.
Do you have any advice to pass on to your younger teammates?
Jessie: My big thing is to have fun. We have a lot of big meets we go to, but for me I always run the best when I'm relaxed. I've always believed being a well-rounded person will make everything will come along.
What will you miss about coach Uhrich?
Jessie: He's always been there to make sure we go to meets with confidence. He always sets goals for me and it's always 15 seconds faster than what I'd set for myself. He always believes in me more than I believe in myself. He always told me I could run better than I ever thought I could. I'll miss that.
Jackie: He's the kid of guy you're friends with forever. I tell myself I'm not really saying goodbye. It will be sad to lose the team, and Dave especially.
