E.C. Glass swimming coach Aaron Mabery has an ace up his sleeve in the form of junior swimmer Mac McWane.
McWane can swim just about any event. This year he has competed in all four strokes and from sprints to middle distance races for the Hilltoppers. "He is good at every stroke," Mabery said.
"He makes my job a lot easier because I can put in him in any hole I might have and not have to worry about him." Mabery is planning to use McWane in at least the 100-yard butterfly, 200 individual medley, 400 freestyle relay and the 200 medley relay in Friday's Western Valley District swim meet at Hargrave Military Academy's Onishi-Davenport Aquatic Center. Both Mabery and McWane believe his best stroke is the butterfly.
Mabery expects McWane will win the 100 butterfly at the district meet. McWane has made it his goal to earn a spot at the state meet in the event. His best times are around 1:02, and Mabery thinks if McWane will reach his goal if he can cut off two seconds.
"I know that I only need to drop about two more seconds so I feel really positive about my chances," McWane said. "He's a natural at the butterfly," Mabery said. McWane's favorite event, though, is the 200 IM.
"The IM uses all of the strokes," McWane said. "You have to be a well-rounded swimmer to be good at that event. I have dropped a lot of time in IM this year, too.
This has been my best season so far." "He is doing the best swimming I have ever seen him do," Mabery said. Mabery should know.
He and McWane have known each since they were teammates on Oakwood's Lynchburg Aquatic League team. "Aaron is like a brother to me," McWane said. "We swam together.
He has been my coach for years and has really helped me a lot." "I've known him since he was about ten," Mabery said. "He's like a little brother.
He works really hard but I'm not afraid to bust his butt if I think he is slacking off just like I busted my sister's butt when I saw her goofing off in soccer practice. They both have gotten earfuls from me." "The hardest thing is when he fails and I see the disappointment on his face," he added.
"I think it's harder on me than it is on him." "I have always loved swimming," McWane said. "I don't think about a lot while I'm swimming.
It's therapeutic for me and I always feel refreshed and energized after swimming." "I try to keep a good mindset," he said. "Keeping a good attitude is important.
I see other swimmers get upset and they get bogged down." "I do try and set an example and keep the team motivated," McWane said. "I try to keep them pumped up and if I see someone getting down on themselves I try to pick them.
" "He has grown into a team leader," Mabery said. "Sometimes I think I take him for granted and I should go easier on him but he is so good at so many strokes.
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