If there’s one thing Mary DeScenza can do, it is swim. In 2003, she was the NCAA champion in the 200 yard butterfly and she earned seven All-American certificates at the championships, the maximum possible. This year, she contributed to her team’s national championship and recently qualified to swim in this summer’s world championships in seven events. Next month, she will swim in the 100-meter freestyle, the 50-, 100- and 200-meter butterfly events, the U.S. medley relay, the 400 freestyle relay and the 800 freestyle relay. She plans to stay at Georgia until graduation and try out for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Hometown:
Naperville, Illinois
High School:
Rosary High School
Degree objective:
B.S. in Biology
Expected graduation:
May 2007
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
In the 2005 season, I was part of the NCAA championship winning team, participating on four of the five winning relays. I won two of my individual events, the 100 and 200 butterfly. After a successful NCAAs, I competed at the U.S. World Championship Trials and made the World Championship team in the 100 and 200 butterfly and the 100 and 200 freestyle. I was the U.S. champion in the 200 butterfly and was runner up in both the 100 butterfly and the 200 freestyle.
I chose to attend UGA because…
The southern environment is very different from my hometown; it’s nice. Also the swim team is very talented, and I thought it would give me the opportunity to improve and be part of a national championship team.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
…I like to go to all of the sporting events, especially football. Walking on north campus is also one of my favorite things to do because it is so beautiful.
When I have free time, I like…
…to spend it relaxing. I am “on the go” a lot and don’t have much time for myself. I am either going to class, at swim practice, or doing homework; so when I am not doing any of those things, I am too tired to do anything but curl up in bed and read a good book.
The craziest thing I’ve done is…
…took a road trip to see my older sister who attends the University of William and Mary. I did not have a long time to see her, but we made up for it by going to Busch Gardens.
My favorite place to study is…
I enjoy studying in my room more than anywhere else. The Student Learning Center is usually busy and the Rankin Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center is usually full of loud football players. I have my own personal working space in my room and am most productive here.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
…my boyfriend who goes to school in Chicago. With our busy schedules, it is hard to see each other. Although I do wish I could see him more, I like it too much here at Georgia to move back home.
If money was not a consideration, I would love to…
…travel the world, going on cruises and exploring new places. Swimming has brought me to many different countries such as Spain, France, Russia, and Japan. I want to broaden my experiences and see exotic things.
After graduation, I plan to…
…stay at Georgia and swim until the next Olympics. Also, I would like to attend vet school.
The one UGA experience I will always remember will be…
…when UGA hosted the SEC championship meet last year. It was my most memorable experience here. The stands were packed with Georgia supporters and it great to know that we had so many people behind us.