Big Ten Senior Spotlight: Hannah Pugh of Michigan State University

Since the 2011-12 season, the Michigan State Spartans have been able to consistently count on Hannah Pugh out of Macomb, Michigan in the individual medley and butterfly events. In her freshman campaign with the Spartans, Pugh immediately established herself with team-leading times in the 200 butterfly (2:03.55) and the 400 IM (4:27.19) and also contributed to the Spartans’ 800 free relay at the Big Ten Championships.

What makes Pugh’s career at Michigan State so impressive is her ability to consistently improve in her primary events. She would drop time in both her 200 fly (2:02.82) and the 400 IM (4:24.97) during her sophomore year, and most importantly, she swam her fastest at the Big Ten Championships in 2013. The ability to swim fast at the end of the season when it matters most is always an admirable feature of any swimmer, and she did a very good job of developing her IM and butterfly abilities during her first two years of college. Also, to continue her trend from her freshman year, she would lead the team in both of her primary events once again.

Despite how good her first two years with Michigan State were, Hannah had an even more impressive season during her junior year, once again culminating with the Big Ten Championships. At those Championships, Pugh would get her first taste of second swims at the conference meet, as she took 16th in the prelims of the 400 IM (4:21.66). In the finals session, Pugh would chop nearly two full seconds off her prelims swim to finish 15th in a 4:19.88, thus eclipsing a six year old school record by Heather Kiluk of 4:20.95 by over a second.

Pugh wasn’t satisfied with just one second swim though, as she would also swim in the bonus final of the 200 fly thanks to a 2:02.19 effort in prelims. She would drop over a second in finals to finish 19th overall at 2:01.16, second-fastest amongst all Spartans.

Notably, Pugh also received the Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award during her junior year, thus signifying that she was able to maintain a 3.7 GPA during the previous academic year. Only a small percentage of athletes receive this award annually, so it is always good to highlight the academic achievements of our featured swimmers.

If there is one thing that is certain when it comes to Hannah Pugh, it is that she is capable of swimming bests each and every championship season when her team needs her most. She was one of only three Spartans to score points individually in the pool at the 2014 Big Ten Championships, and her track record at the conference meet during her first three campaigns bodes well for what she has in store during her final year. Look for the senior to be hungry for more nighttime swims next week in Columbus.

Best Times (SCY/LCM):
200 IM: 2:07.43/2:27.38
400 IM: 4:19.88*/5:03.24
200 Fly: 2:01.16/2:21.15
200 Breast: 2:21.12/2:41.11
500 Free/400 Free: 4:57.93/4:28.08

*Denotes school record

School Major/Degree: Majoring in Kinesiology, Pre-Occupational Therapy
Favorite Event: 400 IM
Favorite Hobby/Hidden Talent: I can touch my tongue to my nose.
Favorite Movie: This is 40
Role Model Growing Up/ Person You’d Like to Meet: The person I want to meet most is Mandy Lee, the lead singer of my favorite band, Misterwives.
Favorite Food/ Pre-Race Meal: My dad’s shish kabobs

At what age did you become involved with swimming? How did you get into it?

I joined my first team at New Castle YMCA in Pennsylvania when I was 6 years old. My mom was putting a pool in the backyard and wanted to make sure that my siblings and I could all swim. After my first couple of lessons I loved the water and they suggested that I join the team.

What is your favorite collegiate swimming memory and why?

 It is so hard to pick just one memory. But, I think one of my favorite memories is being in Florida on training trip and after a hard practice the whole team just lays on the beach.

At the 2014 Big Ten Championships, you set a new school record in the finals of the 400 IM, chopping a full second off the previous record from 2008. Do you feel like that was a breakthrough race for yourself?

I think it was a breakthrough race because it gave me a lot of confidence and belief that I can compete at this high of a level.

Would you be willing to share some of your personal goals for yourself for your final conference championships?

I am looking to lower my 400 IM record and place top 16 for the 400 IM and 200 fly.

What/who do you think has been the single most important catalyst to your swimming career?

I think I have had two catalysts in regards to my swimming career.

The first would be my high school coach, Heather Villerot. She is the one that convinced me that I was good enough to swim in college and always encouraged me on both good and bad days.

And the second would have to be my youngest sister, Marah. She and I have grown up swimming together and she is currently a freshman at the University of Louisville. Although she may be younger, she has taught me how to work hard and to love the sport of swimming. She has always been there for me. Although we may have hated each other sometimes at practice I know full well that I would have never made it my entire career without her.

Do you have any plans/commitments following the completion of your collegiate career?

 I don’t have any plans swimming related other than future alumni meet appearances. Following the completion of my degree at MSU, I plan on going to graduate school to pursue a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy.

What should we look forward to from Michigan State as a whole at this year’s Big Ten Championships?

You should look forward to a great group of girls moving up in the Big Ten. We will be bringing a lot of energy and excitement to the meet along with plenty of night swims.