Q&A with Megan: Featuring Payton Armstrong

Alfred State sport management major Megan Gridley recently interviewed swimmer Payton Armstrong. Armstrong is entering her fourth year on the Pioneer swimming team.

How do you feel COVID-19 has affected swimming? COVID-19 has really affected our swim season this year. For starters, most of us on the team were not able to get in a pool for about six months because most pools were closed. A lot of us came back more out of shape than we hoped. Practicing is also different because I am used to practicing with the whole team and now it's only 10 people at a time so we each get our own lane. It's also going to be weird not having meets to look forward to. 

There are a lot of new rules with sports, masks, and social distancing, have you heard of any rules about getting out of the pool and putting a mask on? How is that going to work for the swim team? Yes, when we are on the pool-deck we wear a mask and can only take it off before we jump into the pool. I do not like putting a mask on after practice because I am soaking wet and it is uncomfortable, but I would prefer wearing a soaking wet mask than not having a season. At the practices everyone on the team has been really great about wearing masks and maintaining social distance.

I know that the pool has been shut down for a short period of time, but how is being able to be in the pool to practice? Have you missed it since COVID-19 started? I was dreading starting swim at first because I knew that I was very out of shape but after starting practices I realized how much I missed it. I like how swimming gives me structure and it feels good to be working out again.

How are you handling having to do workouts instead of actual swimming? We were working with the baseball coach on breathing exercises before we were able to get into the pool, which I enjoyed. Now since we've all been in quarantine for the past two weeks it has been hard to do workouts. I have been doing bodyweight exercises to try and stay in shape.

Do you feel that the team dynamic has changed not being able to be in the pool together? Or has it not changed? It is definitely weird not being able to practice with everyone at once, but I don't think it has changed the team dynamic. It's kind of nice not having to share a lane but it's so quiet compared to when we were all able to practice together.

When you are a student-athlete, there are a lot of things that you juggle at one time. How has it been for you being a student first, and an athlete second during COVID-19? I am so happy that swimming has started again because it gives me structure making me a better student. I am also very happy that most of my classes are in person because it's easier for me to learn.

Quick Hits:

Favorite athletic brand? My favorite athletic brand to buy swimsuits from is called JOLYN. Their swimsuits last forever and they have a lot of cool patterns.

Favorite class? My favorite class that I am taking would have to be Successful Coaching with Coach Boyd. Coach Boyd makes the class very enjoyable and I have learned a lot from her lessons about coaching.

Favorite candy? I love the Reese's Fast Break candy bar, that is definitely my favorite.