November 2001
FSU's Christy Cech thinks about speed -- and home
When Florida State swimmer Christy Cech
hits the water, she has one thought: speed. Cech really doesn't
have any other choice. Not when her race ends in 23 seconds,
or more quickly than a red light turns green.
"In practice you focus on your form, your technique,
your breathing," Cech said. "On race day, you let it
happen."
Cech, 22, can let it happen with the best in the country.
The senior from Pletermarltzburg, South Africa, earned All-America
honors at the NCAA Champion-ships last season with a fourth-place
finish in the 50-meter freestyle. She touched the wall in a school-record
time of 22.54. Cech, 
nicknamed
"C.C." by her teammates, is hoping to use last year's
efforts as a springboard into the upcoming season. FSU coach
Neil Harper believes she has the ability to achieve Olympic status.
"Christy is a natural leader for our team," Harper said. "She was the most successful swimmer for us last season, breaking school records. I think her goals need to be nothing short of an NCAA title this year."
Cech has lofty ambitions.
She has been around the water and swimming as long as she can remember. Her grandfather was a coach in South Africa. Cech, who can recall splashing, kicking and clinging to pool ladders as a toddler, has developed into one of the nation's top sprinters.
She won 10 individual victories in the 50 free last season against LSU, North Carolina State, nationally ranked Arizona, Alabama and Florida. She also contributed greatly in the freestyle and medley events.
What's probably even more impressive than her accomplishments, however, is Cech's positive outlook. She's polite, personable and passionate about life and sport. She has a high grade-point average in graphics design and is extremely interested in computers.
Still, it hasn't been an easy journey for Cech, who left South Africa in 1998 to attend the University of Miami. While terribly homesick, she performed admirably, receiving the IBIS Award and competing in the 50 and 100 free at the NCAA Championships. She also was a finalist at the Pan Pacific games in the 50 free.
"A coach back home had suggested Miami, but when I arrived, they had a coaching change," Cech said. "While I was lonely and homesick, it did wonders for me in terms of growing up and maturing as a person."
On the advice of friends and coaches, Cech decided to transfer to FSU. She has blossomed as a person and an athlete, winning the ACC championship in the 100 free in 2000. She also fell in love with the university and the area, saying the climate and trees "remind me of home."
Of course, Cech thinks daily of her parents and two sisters in South Africa. They help serve as inspiration during twice-a-day training sessions that can cover 7,000 yards. Cech keeps in touch with her family through e-mails and telephone calls.
While her parents haven't watched their daughter swim competitively in the United States, they are hoping to attend the ACC championships, not to mention Cech's graduation next spring. Her parents are probably used to watching her swim.
They better not blink. Cech's events are all about speed. - Jim Henry
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