Conference USA doesn’t just give awards to anyone. They must be
earned. Junior Megan Capellupo earned the distinction of Swimmer of
the Week beginning on Sunday, Jan. 25.
“I am happy about it. It recognizes that we swim against some
good teams and some good swimmers,” said Capellupo, one of the top
swimmers at Saint Louis University.
Although this is the second time she has won this award, it is
the first time this season.
She is also the second Billiken to be recognized for the award
this season.
C-USA recognized Capellupo after she exhibited exceptional times
against Louisville on Jan. 24. She won first place in all three
individual events she swam in: the 100-meter backstroke, 200-meter
backstroke and 200-meter individual medley.
She also took part in the University’s record-setting 200-meter
medley relay team. Her time in the 200-meter backstroke was the
best of her career at 2:10.66.
Capellupo enjoys swimming for SLU because she likes the
chemistry among her teammates.
“It’s really laid back, yet we still work hard, and it pays
off,” Capellupo said. “We also take training trips, and we have
gone to Phoenix and San Diego.” Capellupo hails from St. Louis and
enjoys the fact that her family gets to attend home meets
“It’s exciting that my mom can come watch me swim, but also the
rest of the family can come too, like my grandparents,” Capellupo
said.
Capellupo used to swim the breast stroke and still holds the
school record in the 200-meter, but this season she began swimming
backstroke, in which she feels she has performed well.
“I used to think the breast stroke was my best, but now I am
doing more backstroke and doing better than I thought I would,”
Capellupo said.
She swims in relays and individual events, and notices the
differences in the two but enjoys both. Capellupo sees the relay
event as an opportunity for total team involvement.
“But when you are getting a close finish and you are alone, it
comes down to who wants it the most–that usually decides who will
win,” said Capellupo.
is not too worried. Last year in the tournament she qualified for
event finals in the 100-meter breast and 200-meter individual
medley at the season-ending meet, finishing seventh in both races.
She was part of the 800-free and 400-medley relay teams that set
school records at that meet as well.
Capellupo also works hard as a student athlete. As a Nursing
major, classes and work continue to get more difficult.
“This semester is harder than the others; I just try to balance
all that has been piled on the best I can,” Capellupo said.
She gets one day off practices, and on Sunday mornings she gets
up early to practice and maintain her optimal performance level.
Her dedication is evident to everyone, not just her teammates.
“If I ever miss a practice I try to make it up,” Capellupo
said.
She sticks to a strict practice schedule. In fact, her practice
schedule has varied very little since her early swimming days, back
when she started, at age 11.
“At times, I get tired. Then I think about the positive things
about swimming and how much I enjoy it,” Capellupo said.
The last home meet for the women’s swim team will be on Feb. 8
at 11 a.m. against Tulane.
The C-USA tournament will be held from Feb. 26- 28 in
Houston.
