The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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WOMEN'S SWIMMING PROFILE bers. You tell her, 'If you can reduce this, you can limit this.' It's always quantitative. She's always measuring things, and that is how she gets bet- ter. Her system involves that. She has always thought, 'Don't tell me how it feels. Tell me what the end result is that you want. I will calculate and figure out how to get there.'" Her numbers-based techniques have helped Chokran make her mark on the Michigan women's swimming program. She holds all-time program records in the 100-yard breaststroke (59.80), the 200-yard medley relay (1:37.84) and the 400-yard medley relay (3:34.71). "I would like to break the records I have now again," Chokran said. "That is not just a goal for myself. For the relay team, that extends to four people and, really, the whole team. "This year, we have taken it to a whole new level, as far as working hard. Not only am I working hard in the classroom and the pool, but I am trying to be a leader at all times. Be- ing a senior, you're put in a position where everyone is looking at you at all times. I have really had to be there for my teammates on a whole new level, and that means setting an example at practice and training harder than I ever have before." In the offseason, Chokran did plenty of long-course training with members of the Michigan men's swimming team, which she believes prepared her to have her best season yet. One of her big goals is to break the program record in the 200-yard breaststroke, which is Michigan's longest-standing program record, set by Rachel Gustin in 1995 (2:10.37). Chokran is right there, with a per- sonal best of 2:10.54 in the event. And she wants to take home a Big Ten title. The Wolverines have not won a relay title (200-yard freestyle) or an individual (Caitlin Dauw, 100-yard butterfly) conference title since 2011. "That is not just a dream any- more," Chokran said. "The first day of Big Tens this year is my birthday, and I think that would be a great gift. That is something I have been look- ing forward to for a long time. I was so excited when they announced the dates. I have been looking at it, and I think it's a very reasonable goal. "And Caitlin Dauw and I were on the same club team before we got to Michigan. I have known her forever, and she was a big role model of mine. Seeing her win a Big Ten title was a huge inspiration for me, and I would love to do the same. My best shot would be with one of my medley re- lays, so I would get to share that title, which would be even cooler." Chokran's strongest chance at win- ning a title is the 200-yard medley relay. "For her, the most exciting thing is the relays, to have three other racers around her competing for a goal," Bottom said. "She is constantly cal- culating, 'To break this school record, I'll do this, you do that and you do this.' She always has it figured out. She really enjoys that piece of it." — Andy Reid