Aug. 16, 2007

It's that time of the year when students return to campuses and reconnect with friends sharing their summer experiences. Many will boast about their vacation at the beach or their tour of the United States or talk about how relaxing it was to just hang out at the pool. One student will talk about her unique experience and how she took a major stepping stone towards her career.

Rising senior and member of the Mason swimming and diving team Mallory Pucci spent the summer working at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado as an intern with the sport science training and performance program in the USA Swimming National Team Division. She was responsible for assisting USA Swimming with the implementation and logistical support of technical programs designed to support National Team athletes and coaches as they prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

She was afforded the opportunity to travel to Indianapolis for the USA Swimming National Championships in early August where she did race analysis on the athletes and assisted with lactate testing. On the trip she also had the chance to catch up with some of her former Mason teammates; Tom Koucheravy and Joe Houchin, both competing in the meet as well as world record-holder and volunteer assistant coach Kate Ziegler. She was able to work with other elite athletes competing in the meet, including Michael Phelps and Dana Torres.

"This internship provided a unique experience as I interacted with all Olympic athletes and coaches from all over the world," said Pucci. "We housed and dined in the same facilities as the athletes and coaches. We were also able to use their athletic facilities, such as swimming pool, weight room and gymnasiums."

The Raleigh, N.C. native initially applied for the internship because it combined her love for swimming and sports with her major of study, exercise science, but it wasn't has easy as filling out the paperwork. She competed with more than 500 applicants, and was one of 25 interns selected for the summer internship program. The US Olympic internship program has been ranked by Princeton review as America's Top 100 internships for the past seven years.

Pucci didn't let her training take a back seat during the summer. "I continued to train while doing the internship," added Pucci. "I had the opportunity to train with swim teams that came to the training center for camps, such as the National Distance team, Team Indiana, and other club teams from across the country. I had access to vibration training as well as the weight room facility."

She competed in her first open water race, placing third at the Colorado 9k Open Water State Championship. The first two finishers qualified for a pre-Olympic trial grand prix meet held after the National Championships in Indianapolis.

It's wasn't all work in Colorado touts Pucci as she managed her busy schedule to include fun activities. "I did a lot of hiking and exploring all of Colorado has to offer. It is a beautiful place to be in the summer."

The U.S. Olympic Training Center internship program will be more competitive next summer after hearing Pucci's testimonial. "I have learned so much from working at the Olympic training center. To be a part of the Olympic movement is a unique opportunity. I'm looking forward to taking back what I have learned and applying it to my final year of swimming as well as my coaching career. I want to share everything I have learned with my teammates. I highly recommend this internship to everyone no matter what they are studying."