Big Ten Senior Spotlight: Becky Stoughton of the University of Iowa

The distance events may end up being some of the most exciting events to watch at this year’s Big Ten Championships, with a variety of different schools possessing the talent to pull out a surprise win. Of all the dark horses in the distance events, one of the most promising seniors in the field may be none other than the University of Iowa’s Rebecca Stoughton (or Becky as she prefers).

Becky is no stranger to big time collegiate swims, with one of the most impressive freshman seasons in recent Big Ten history. Stoughton demolished five school records as a freshman, and recorded some of the fastest in-season times in the entire conference in a variety of events. Notably, her school record in the 1000 free (9:39.44) came in a dual meet in a tight race against University of Minnesota all-American Ashley Steenvoorden in just November of her freshman year.

At her first conference championships, Stoughton was on fire both individually and on relays, with multiple A final swims highlighting her meet. She would take third in the 500 free (4:40.82), fourth in the 400 IM (4:12.34), and sixth in the 1650 (16:14.14), with the first two events being new school records. On relay duties, Stoughton provided the lead-off leg on the 800 free relay, and her time of 1:47.09 would establish another new school record. She would also anchor the 9th place finishing Hawkeyes 400 free relay. Her performances at this meet would help her earn the coaches’ vote for Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

Stoughton stayed hot at the NCAA Championships that year with a 9th placed finish in the 1650 free (16:03.42), a new school record and an All-American Honorable Mention performance at that. She would also take 28th in the 500 free and 37th in the 400 IM.

Despite having such a tremendous freshman season, Becky had multiple bouts with injuries over the next two years. Complications with ankle pain would plague her throughout her sophomore year. She would still compete at the 2013 Big Ten Championships, netting finishes of 28th in the 500 free, 32nd in the 200 free, and 15th in the 200 fly.  She also swam on the Hawkeyes’ 800 free relay at the conference meet.

Notably, at a mid-season dual meet against Iowa State, Stoughton became the first female swimmer in University of Iowa history to break the 2 minute barrier in the 200 fly with a 1:59.68 effort.

Unfortunately, with the ankle injury proving to be a nagging issue, Stoughton also suffered an additional injury while trying to compensate for the pain, this time affecting her right shoulder. Once again, she would still summon the courage to compete at the conference championships during her junior year, improving upon her second season with a 13th place finish in the 500 free (4:46.05), an 18th place in the 200 free (1:48.50), and a 20th place finish in the 200 fly (2:01.24). Additionally, Stoughton contributed the second and fastest leg to the Hawkeyes 800 free relay that would set a new school record at 7:12.49

With a return to full health and an optimistic view on her final conference meet, Becky can be just as dangerous as any other top name in the Big Ten. Provided she gets off on the right foot, we could see the senior put together a flurry of remarkable performances just like she did her freshman year, and find herself once again punching her ticket to NCAAs in a number of different events.

Best Times (SCY/LCM):
200 Free: 1:46.68*/2:05.14
500 Free/400 Free: 4:40.82*/4:19.78
1000 Free/800 Free: 9:39.44*/9:00.53
1650 Free/1500 Free: 16:03.42*/17:24.95
200 Back: 1:58.38/2:27.95
200 Fly: 1:59.42*/2:20.79
400 IM: 4:12.34*/5:01.96

*Denotes school record

School Major/Degree: Management and Organizations, Business
Favorite Event: 200 Medley Relay
Favorite Hobby/Hidden Talent: I like dancing! Although I wouldn’t say it’s a talent. =)
Favorite Movie: Zoolander, Stepbrothers, or really any comedy that can make me laugh
Person You’d Like to Meet: Marilyn Monroe
Favorite Food/ Pre-Race Meal: A banana with almond butter

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

Age 8. My brother was signed up for swimming and my parents thought it would be convenient if we both did the same sport, so they signed me up without telling me. There were a lot of tears at first, but it ended up working out nicely!

What is your favorite collegiate swimming memory and why?

I have so many favorites.. but one that comes to mind would be my first swim meet my freshmen year right before my first event. I remember being extremely nervous sitting on the bleachers with Hillary Weigand, and she looked over and said “are you ready to do this?” A simple memory, but she’s been by my side every 1000 I’ve swam in college ever since, which I think makes it more complex.

Many swimmers often struggle to make the transition from high school or club swimming into a collegiate program. However, you had a phenomenal freshman season, including a third place finish in the 500 free, a fourth place finish in the 1000 free, and a sixth place finish in the 1650 amongst numerous team records and Freshman of the Year honors at the 2012 Big Ten Championships. Can you talk about what helped you become so successful so quickly for your school?

I cannot stress enough how much my teammates helped make those crazy swims possible. Although D-group isn’t everyone’s first choice to be a part of, I would do it again 100 times if I could swim with the people I met in the group. I have so many great memories with them, I can honestly say they made the transition a breeze for me.

Injuries are the bane of all athletes regardless of skill level or experience. You have had multiple bouts with injuries during your collegiate career including ankle and shoulder complications during your sophomore and junior years respectively. Can you shed some light on how these experiences molded you as an athlete and how they tested you mentally?

It’s hard to understand injuries from an outside point of view; you never really appreciate what your body can do until you can’t physically do those things anymore. Fortunately for me, my surgeries were extremely minor and only took me out of the sport for a short period of time. Now that I’m fully recovered, I actually get excited to swim the mile and other difficult events because it means I am healthy enough to be able to do them- I think it was good for me to be reminded of that.

You have already bounced back and set a new school record this year in the 200 butterfly. Do you feel like your mid season success has given you a bit of momentum to work with entering your final championship season with the Hawkeyes?

I was definitely excited to get a best time in the 200 fly. I haven’t seen a best time in awhile, so it was definitely refreshing to know I am on the right track!

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

My dad. Hands down. This answer would be ten pages long if I went into the full description of everything he’s done for my swimming career these past 14 years.

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

I’ve committed to a full-time district manager position at Aldi!

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

A bunch of hawks having fun and swimming fast! =)