Senior swimmer Hutchinson leads team in, out of pool

On most sports teams, athletes will hesitate when asked who leads their team.

For the Nebraska swim team, no hesitation is necessary. It's Mariah Hutchinson.

The senior captain had another strong performance over the weekend, sweeping her three events against UNO. Those victories are what the team has come to expect from Hutchinson.

For the past 3 1/2 years, she has anchored the team in both the butterfly and freestyle. But for her coaches and teammates, it is her humble leadership qualities that set her apart from the rest.

"She epitomizes a leader," senior swimmer Hailey Dean said. "She sets an example but still stays humble. She never acts better than anyone else, and everyone on the team admires her."

Hutchinson describes her qualities as nothing more than what she received as a freshman.

"When I came here, there was an outstanding group of seniors who mentored me," Hutchinson said. "When I got the opportunity to become captain, I wanted this year's freshmen to have that same benefit. Hopefully I can make them feel comfortable and ease their transition to this new level."

For the coaching staff, there never was any doubt that Hutchinson would be a captain.

"Mariah is exactly the kind of athlete we try to grow here at Nebraska," assistant coach Doug Humphrey said. "She is extremely coachable, grows as a person and swimmer every day and has an unbelievable amount of talent."

That unbelievable amount of talent is easily traced. Hutchinson has set the school record in the 100-meter butterfly and led the team with nine first-place finishes in dual meets last season.

"Mariah's potential is limitless," Humphrey said. "She can do whatever she wants in this sport."

Hutchinson tried out for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and still has Olympic aspirations.

"It's something I've always dreamed of," Hutchinson said. "(NU swimming head coach) Pablo (Morales) is a world-record holder in the butterfly himself, and I've talked to him about it. It will be very difficult for me to turn my back on this sport."

Olympics or not, Hutchinson will have left a mark on the school record book and her teammates when her career ends.

"Mariah's, honestly, the greatest person I know," freestyle swimmer Sarah Ziegelmann said. "For her, it's not about her result – it's always about everyone else. She'll never say it, but with her talent, she's going places after graduation."

Ziegelmann met Hutchinson at a recruiting meet four years ago and has been her best friend ever since. She describes Hutchinson as the type to be able to do whatever she wants due to her drive and willingness to work.