Stephanie Hussey: C-USA Swimmer of the Week

Photo Courtesy of Brea Jones/PantherNOW

By: Dalton Tevlin/Assistant Sports Director

After securing a 198-102 win against Florida Gulf Coast University in their swim meet on Saturday, Jan. 26, sophomore Stephanie Hussey was named ‘Swimmer of the Week’ by Conference USA for her performance.

At the meet against the Eagles, Hussey placed first in the 1000 yard freestyle, 200 yard butterfly, and the 500 yard freestyle, totaling 27 points for her team.

For the sophomore, getting an award to symbolize all the hard work she’s put into swimming and in the classroom is a great feeling.

“It’s a good way of realizing how the hard work has paid of in the end. It’s an honor, but in the end I did it for the girls in the team so it’s nice to be recognized,” said Hussey.

Outside of the pool, Hussey is majoring in recreational therapy and minoring in psychology. She relies on time management to balance school, athletics, and having a social life.

“Time management is very hard. With swimming, we wake up super early in the morning to train, then go to class, then train again,” said Hussey. “You get super exhausted and sometimes you just want to nap and not do the work you need to do, but you know you need to stay on top of your schoolwork.”

With the C-USA championships and the National Collegiate Athletic Association championships coming up, Hussey knows it’s important for her to keep up with her academics and her athletics. The discipline she shows with her school work clearly carries over to her work ethic in the pool. When it comes to her discipline in and out of the pool, Hussey calls herself “hard-working” and fearless.

Much like all student-athletes, Hussey tries to make the most out of her free time while balancing school, training, and competitions.

“I try to read, I have a few books I’m trying to finish by the end of the semester,” said Hussey, ”If not I’m watching TV, it’s just a way to relax.”

She just finished watching the documentary series, “The Ted Bundy Tapes” and watches “American Horror Story” with her roommates.

But for Hussey, it isn’t school or sports that has been the hardest thing to adjust to. The swimmer was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and moved to Miami. Most of the things in Miami are the same in Canada with a few culture differences, according to Hussey. Though, she does miss the food from home.

“Poutine, maple syrup, and french pastries” are some of the biggest things Hussey misses.

When she graduates from FIU, Hussey plans to return to Canada and use her degree to become either a physical or occupational therapist.

For now though, the swimmer is going to continue training for the swim and diving team’s next meet against FGCU and Florida Atlantic University at the South Florida Diving Invitational on Friday, Feb. 8, at the Coral Springs Aquatic Center.

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