By Steven Sellers, Courier Assistant Sports Editor:
Here is Schuyler Beeman’s secret: He’s relaxed, energized, and
talented. Schuyler, a 2006 Guilford High School graduate, was a three-year All-American
and a four-year All-State swimmer in high school and he’s gone on to even greater
things at Middlebury College in Vermont, where he qualified for seven events in
the 2007 NCAA Div III Nationals as a freshman and placed in the top 20 in each
of them. He also qualified for multiple events for 2008 NCAA Div III Nationals
but (to the relief of his opponents) didn’t compete because of his academic
commitments as a theater major at Middlebury.
“I’ve always been a big swimmer,” says Schuyler, now a junior at
Middlebury. “I was always in the water, even when it was freezing outside, so
my parents figured they should get me into some kind of program. Since then,
swimming’s always a part of me and I’ve always pushed myself to do the best I
could.”
There were times, Schuyler admits, when he almost gave up
swimming, but his love of the water always pulled him back. He learned that it
was when he was having fun—and forgetting about the results—that he was at his
best.
“I do my best when I just sit back before the meet and listen to
the music before the meet,” he says. “Sometimes I’ll even dance my way to the
starting block. I don’t focus on the mechanics because I know the muscle memory
is already there. I just swim because I love it.”
However relaxed Schuyler may be before a race, he knows how to
release his energy when he’s in the water. He holds the Middlebury College
record in the 50-meter freestyle, the 200-meter medley relay, and the 400-meter
medley relay. At the 2007 NESCAC Championships, Schuyler set the meet record in
the 50-meter freestyle (20.82) and took second place in finals. At this year’s championships,
he set the meet record in the event (20.56) again, beating his own record and
winning the championship.
Like so many top athletes, Schuyler started in his backyard,
which, for him, meant the Guilford Racquet and Swim Club. Schuyler ended up on
the swim team and went on to swim for the next 14 years at the Westbrook YMCA,
as well as in high school. As is true today, Guilford only had a “one-man team” that
didn’t compete for points and could have no more than three members at any time.
“We practiced with the Branford swim team,” Schuyler remembers.
“They were so nice to us. I was actually the second generation of Guilford’s one-man team.
We couldn’t compete for points, but we were able to compete individually when
the SCC and the state meets came around. That’s how we got our points.”
Schuyler credits his collegiate success to his coaches at
Middlebury, who understand that student-athletes have many obligations and that
each is important.
“Coach Peter Solomon and all of the swim team coaches at
Middlebury are the most dedicated I’ve ever met,” says Schuyler. “They focus
not just on athletics, but also academics. He appreciates that people have
other commitments and that’s okay.”
Schuyler has plenty of “other commitments” that he enjoys along
with swimming. A theater major on an acting track, he also has an education
minor and is involved in as many as three plays at a time. He’s a member of an
a cappella singing group called the “Bobolinks” which, coincidentally, will
travel to perform in Guilford on Oct. 12 at the Christian Science Church on the
Green. He’s also a freshman counselor in his dorm, referring to himself as an
“intense RA” who helps first-year students with academic and social issues.
Schuyler’s take on the Summer Olympics and its parade of
gold-medal swimmers?
“I don’t really care,” says Schuyler. “Frankly, it makes me a
little antsy to watch swim meets on TV. I mean, they’re great swimmers, but my
philosophy is pretty simple—just go out there, do your best, and have fun.”
Sidelines with Schuyler Beeman
Who has been your greatest influence in sports?
My parents. There were multiple times that I wanted to quit
swimming, but they wanted me to stay with it and I’m so glad I did. For all the
people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve had, I’m so grateful. And the coaches
at Middlebury [College] also have been so influential, not just in sports but
also in academics.
What are your other interests?
I’m a theater major on an acting track and I have an education
minor.
Pictured: Schuyler Beeman, a high school
All-American swimmer at GHS and a three-time qualifier for the Nationals, says
that having fun is the key to doing well.
Photo courtesy of Middlebury College