Scarlett Ferris certified for final yr’s NCAA swimming and diving championships however was recognized with mono shortly earlier than the largest meet of her life. Ferris needed to withdraw from the nationwide championships and “disappeared for a couple of weeks” over frustration of the ill-timed sickness, which led her to unfollow a bunch of swim-oriented accounts on social media so she did not have much more FOMO (worry of lacking out). After rapidly returning to well being, Ferris set her thoughts on having a fair higher junior season, which she achieved this yr by profitable gold and setting Mountain West data within the 100 again and 100 fly at the convention championships whereas incomes co-swimmer of the meet. She certified for 3 occasions at the NCAAs and completed ninth within the 100 again to earn second-team All-American honors, changing into the second Nevada swimming All-American since 2001 and first since Yawen Li did so within the 400 particular person medley in 2015.
For her stellar junior season, Ferris is Nevada Sports Net’s Wolf Pack Athlete of the Month in March. You can watch our video interview with Ferris at the highest of this web page or learn the Q&A beneath that. This function is introduced in partnership with Champion Chevrolet.
Q&A with Scarlett Ferris
Nevada Sports Net: What did it really feel like to complete prime 10 within the nation and declare that All-America standing?
Scarlett Ferris: It was fairly good. It was fairly good. It was fairly nerve-racking after I touched the wall and there have been nonetheless two heats after me ready to see the place I completed. But it was very nice
Nevada Sports Net: What is that wish to know that you simply most likely have a really aggressive time, a time that may make you an All-American, however you continue to have to observe a pair extra waves of swimmers earlier than for certain?
Scarlett Ferris: It was actually worrying, however I used to be actually proud of my time and I knew it was up there. I did every thing I may.
Nevada Sports Net: That was certainly one of three occasions you have been part of at NCAA Championships. The 100 free, the 100 fly as effectively. How exhausting is that to take part within the max three occasions at the NCAA Championships?
Scarlett Ferris: It’s so much mentally getting your self prepared each day since you’re there for 3 or 4 days beforehand as effectively, so simply being in that surroundings for the week we have been there for. It’s so much, nevertheless it’s additionally quite a lot of enjoyable whenever you’re there doing the factor you like.
Nevada Sports Net: You had a teammate with you there, Moji Pholjamjumrus. What did it imply for the 2 of you guys to symbolize Nevada? Such a proud historical past with the swim and dive program and you two have been there representing the entire faculty at the NCAA Championships.
Scarlett Ferris: It was nice. I cherished having Moji there. She’s a freshman, so it was her first yr and to qualify as a freshman is wonderful. And it was so nice having her there. We simply had the very best time ever. The coaches made it so particular for us. We have been working towards each day collectively, and it simply was wonderful to be there and be one of many smaller faculties there however nonetheless have such a presence was actually cool.
Nevada Sports Net: You are the second All-American within the final 25 years for Nevada swimming. Has it actually settled with you the gravity of what you have achieved?
Scarlett Ferris: Honestly, probably not. I’m nonetheless sort of occupied with it, and I actually wished extra. I wished to make that championship ultimate and to be one place off was actually exhausting. But additionally I’m attempting to offer myself grace, and it was nonetheless like a cool accomplishment. It was it was so much, however I used to be so shut.
Nevada Sports Net: You had additionally certified for 3 occasions a yr in the past at the NCAA Championships as a sophomore. You ended up coming down with mono, and you felt advantageous. You felt like you could possibly compete. But you simply cannot when you might have mono. That needed to have been such a tricky time when that occasion was occurring and you were not there.
Scarlett Ferris: It was tremendous irritating. I undoubtedly sort of disappeared for a few weeks. I undoubtedly unfollowed lots of people on Instagram. It was nothing to do with them. I wanted to take away myself, simply sort of refocus and be certain I used to be OK. I had no thought what mono was. Learning in regards to the severity of it and what may occur, I used to be, like, “OK, cool. This isn’t like a cough or like a flu or something.” I wanted to actually take care of myself and I knew I could not try this if I used to be specializing in what may have been. My boyfriend and my finest buddy, Molly, have been simply attempting to maintain me like sane.
Nevada Sports Net: Something stunning did come out of that scenario. You acquired to make a particular telephone name whenever you knew that you simply have been gonna be scratched.
Scarlett Ferris: We phoned NC State’s head coach and acquired to inform their swimmer that she was going to have the ability to go to NCAAs in entrance of her complete group. So, it was actually bittersweet and she was so comfortable to go. It made me really feel actually comfortable understanding that another person was going to go and benefit from that chance regardless that I could not.
Nevada Sports Net: She was a senior, and since you have been scratched, she was the primary alternate. You acquired to go inform her, Wolf Pack to Wolfpack, that she acquired to make the NCAAs in her ultimate yr. Fast-forward a yr later. Did it really feel like a little bit of redemption when you have been in that pool even simply warming up and understanding, “All right, I’m here. Let’s make the most of it now.”
Scarlett Ferris: It was sort of a joke with the opposite Mountain West coaches. They’re, like, “Well, you’re here this year, so that’s a win,” and I used to be, like, “You know, that is true.” So, it was actually cool. I simply wished to place my finest foot ahead and management every thing I may to get my efficiency on the market.
Nevada Sports Net: Those Mountain West coaches are very acquainted with you at this level. Three years at the Mountain West Championships, three gold medals within the 100 again, added the 100 fly this previous season. When you arrived right here from Scotland, what have been you hoping would occur together with your Wolf Pack profession and has it exceeded these expectations?
Scarlett Ferris: It undoubtedly has. After my freshman yr, profitable the 100 again and setting the convention report, I did not even know that existed. I wished to come back right here and make myself a greater particular person and a swimmer and add to this wonderful tradition and heritage we now have right here. Honestly, I really feel like yr to yr I’ve been ready so as to add to that and it is simply been wonderful, and I’m very fortunate to have the coaches and the neighborhood that I’ve right here to construct me up.
Nevada Sports Net: And athletics helps athletics. You acquired to throw the primary pitch out at Peccole Park and at Hixson Park for Pack baseball and Pack softball. Was that extra nerve-wracking than NCAA championships?
Scarlett Ferris: Honestly, yeah. At least I do know what I’m doing when I’m swimming. I needed to follow throwing the baseball. I’m not a land athlete. I really like a little bit of volleyball. I’ve performed that earlier than. But throwing a ball is a unique. It’s so completely different. I really like my softball ladies. They’re very nice. I do know quite a lot of the women on the group. They’re tremendous supportive
Nevada Sports Net: We’ve visited with you a large number over your few years right here on campus, and I do know you have most likely been requested this query, however what’s it like dwelling in Reno? How a lot is it like the place you are from again residence in Scotland? I am unable to think about it’s totally comparable. Have you actually acquired to get pleasure from what the Wild West has to supply in a few of your free time?
Scarlett Ferris: Honestly I’ve. It’s been actually cool. I keep right here in the summertime so much as effectively as a result of coaching outdoors is wonderful and I’ve time to go to Tahoe. Tahoe is tremendous much like Scotland in the summertime. When it isn’t raining, Scotland is similar to Tahoe. We’re tremendous inexperienced on the market, and the largest distinction is the elevation, although. It’s actually dry up right here, and I reside proper by the ocean.
Nevada Sports Net: When you go to the lake, are you swimming for leisure? Can you ever swim for leisure, or is it all the time an athlete mindset?
Scarlett Ferris: No, it is good, particularly Tahoe is so chilly. You do not need to get in there when you do not have to. But I like floating about, simply mendacity.
Nevada Sports Net: What’s forward for you? You do not get a lot break day. You’re going to go again residence for the nationwide occasion again within the UK, and I am unable to think about you are going to take a lot time after that.
Scarlett Ferris: I’m actually fortunate. I actually get pleasure from my sport. I really like what I’m doing. I really like coaching right here with the coaches. I’m fortunate in the truth that I’ll take every week off and I’m, like, “OK, cool. When am I going back?”
Nevada Sports Net: What is that occasion arising?
Scarlett Ferris: It’s our nationals again residence and it is our Commonwealth trials. So, the Commonwealth video games are arising this yr in summer time and it’s one thing I’m hopefully seeking to qualify for and make my first worldwide group.
Nevada Sports Net: Senior yr finally ends up on the horizon for Nevada, which I can think about it is exhausting to consider proper since you simply wrapped up junior season. Are there some greater objectives you are even striving for now after this All-American standing?
Scarlett Ferris: I feel the 100 backstroke, I need to be on the rostrum subsequent yr, for certain. I feel that is a purpose for me. And the 100 fly, it is an occasion that I feel was my sixth time racing it and I used to be at nationals. So, somewhat extra publicity to that and hopefully we might be an All-American in that occasion as effectively. And then my freestyle is repeatedly growing and the coaches are all the time threatening me with new occasions. They’re utilizing senior yr as an excuse to place me within the 200 fly. And I’m, like, “I don’t think anybody wants to see that.”
Nevada Sports Net: You may need to attract a line at some level.
Scarlett Ferris: We’ll simply see what occurs, however you may see me in an occasion I’ve by no means executed earlier than. We’ll see.
Nevada Sports Net: It’s nice to know they’re attempting to squeeze every thing they’ll out of you and you are embracing it as a lot as doable as effectively.
You can view our previous Wolf Pack Athlete of the Month interviews here.