Olympic bronze medalist Mona McSharry is taking the fall semester off to travel the United States before returning to the University of Tennessee to finish her 5th year of NCAA eligibility, a spokesperson for the team confirmed to SwimSwam this week.
McSharry, who is currently on the west coast, says that the break has been a plan for a while. “We knew this coming into the season,” the spokesperson said, adding that the team knew that a break was the plan coming into the season.
The trip, characterized as more of a sightseeing tour around America than any kind of training trip, have taken McSharry and her dog Luna mostly to the western U.S. The road trip began in Wyoming and so far has taken her to Yellowstone National Park, Tunnel Falls in Oregon, the Redwood National Forest in California, and most recently Yosemite National Park.
McSharry, who is from Ireland, won an Olympic bronze medal in Paris in the 100 breaststroke. That was her first major senior international medal in long course, though she won a World Junior Championship and two European Junior Championships in 2017.
At last year’s NCAA Championship meet, McSharry finished 2nd in the 100 breast and 200 breast and 22nd in the 50 free. Her 34 individual points were the second-most for the Tennessee women behind only current senior Josephine Fuller (44).
Swimming without McSharry on Thursday, the Tennessee women lost to Louisville 178.5-121.5 in their season opener against Louisville. McSharry’s presence might have made a 15-or-so point difference (they won the 200 medley relay and the 100 breast without her), but would have been unlikely to close that scoring gap.
Tennessee also returns Emelie Fast and brings in star freshman McKenzie Siroky for the breaststroke group this season. Without McSharry, they went 1-2 in the 100 breast in times of 59.51 and 59.92, respectively.
The USA is the most beautiful country in the world! As an Alabamian, I wish I had the chance to see the entire country! Don’t blame her!
Clearly you’ve not travelled.
You don’t like it you can get out!
How many countries you been to? There is a big world waiting for you outside Alabama.
I’ve been to 10 different countries in Europe, but each of their natural beauty can be found somewhere else in the USA! Our borders are enormous so we have everything in our own country which is awesome.
Any Bigfoot sightings?
I love that she has the opportunity to do this.❤️
Congratulations to her. Traveling is the best. I just drove 8500 miles in two trips totaling 35 days beginning September 10th.
Don’t miss Bryce Canyon. That’s my primary advice to Mona given the areas she is exploring first.
And use Reddit as a source. That website has really enhanced my travel itinerary, via all the local knowledge. Driving home on Thursday I Googled, “Things to do along I-75 in Florida Reddit.” The related threads led me to Devil’s Millhopper, and Paynes Prairie Preserve, and the I-75 Land Bridge. They were all interesting stops and not far apart. Minus Reddit I would have missed all of them.
Thanks for the crucial update. Anyway…
Is it bad that my first thought was “I wonder if her student visa allows for this.” Just hope she’s checked. I thought you had to be enrolled full time to be on one.
You know what, hell ya
College swimmers taking the House settlement well I see