Game Faces: Tom Koucheravy
Year: Senior
Sport: Swimming
Major: Physical Education
Claim to Fame: Was CAA Swimmer of the Year two years in a row, was featured in Sports Illustrated’s Faces in the Crowd (January 19, 2006, issue), and placed 12th in the 1,650-yard freestyle at the 2006 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships
Latest Achievement: Finished eighth in the 1,500-meter freestyle race at the 2006 ConocoPhillips Swimming National Championships with a time of 15:27.73. He made the finals after swimming one of the best races in his career as he shaved 21 seconds off of his personal best time to place third with a time of 15:17.09 in the preliminaries.
Ranking in the World: 26th
A Turning Point: Koucheravy says his times coming out of high school weren’t that great so no one recruited him. He was planning on training for a year and attending community college when he met Mason coach Peter Ward at a swim meet. “He said, ‘I’ll swim you this year,’” says Koucheravy.
On Coach Ward: “Coach is great and knows what he is doing. His style matches how I am in the water.”
Where He Lives: Although his parents only live two miles away, Koucheravy lives on campus in Potomac Heights to get the full college experience. He attended nearby James W. Robinson High School, where he lettered all four years on the swim team.
Where He Likes to Hang Out on Campus: “I like Ike’s. It is really fun to go with friends, but I am trying not to stay up too late.” (Ike’s caters to the late-night dining needs of resident students and is open all night on Fridays and Saturdays.)
What He Does When Not in the Water: Collects vinyls. “I always bought a lot of music. Then I got some [vinyls] as a gag gift, but there is just something about a big record.” Koucheravy recently returned from a road trip during which he won $50 at a casino. “I spent it all on vinyls.”
Recently on His Turntable: Joy Divisions’ “Unknown Pleasure,” The Smiths’ “The Queen Is Dead,” and Velvet Underground’s “Andy Warhol.”
Best Memory: Last summer at the national championships, he was just trailing Olympians in the mile. “For the first time, I thought I might have a legitimate shot at the Olympic team,” he says.