Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Rhodes Not Held Back by a Little Cold Water

Rhodes (COL ’06) is the captain of the swim team. By Pasha Chandra Hoya Staff Writer Friday, January 20, 2006

Name: Corinne Rhodes

Sport: Swimming & Diving

Position: Breaststroke

Hometown: Doylestown, Penn.

High School: Central Bucks West

School/Year: COL ’06

Major: Biology

HS Highlights: Lettered in field hockey, swimming, and track; captain of field hockey and swim teams; relay record at CB West in 200 free

GU Highlights: Captain junior and senior years; member of two record holding relays (200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay)

When did you first start swimming? I started swimming when I was about 11. I was actually a dancer and one of my friends was a swimmer, so I followed her into swimming.

When did you know that you wanted to swim competitively in college? Probably, in my senior year. I wanted to play field hockey, but I [had] a bad experience with my coach. I did really well swimming senior year, so I when I came to Georgetown, I decided to walk on to the team. I was actually admitted early, so I sent an e-mail to Beth [Head Coach Bethany Bower], and she never got it. . So I contacted her in April again, and that point she said, “If you come, we’ll love to have you.”

Who’s your biggest rival? I don’t really have a specific rival. At every meet I normally look up the breast strokers in the other lane. Whoever the girl is, I go after them.

What do you consider to be your best stroke? Breast stroke. I guess in high school I wasn’t really good at anything else. Usually breast-strokers tend to be bad at everything else. My coach refuses to watch me swim back stroke. I develop[ed] into an IMer, because you swim all four strokes. Breast stroke is the slowest lap, so it lasts the longest. They normally become IMers. Everyone else is usually behind in breast stroke. Then, I just freestyle to the end.

What was the best moment in your career so far? I guess last year at NEC’s, I was on two record-breaking relays. I love swimming relays, it is one point when it is more of team sport and not an individual I split my best times in both of them by more than two seconds.

Who on the team do you rely on the most? I think you rely on everyone a lot. We break up into a lot of different teams when we train. The people sit around you in your lane and encourage you. I am really tight with the back-strokers. It is a great race at each practice, both the boys and the girls.

If you could change one thing about swimming what would it be? I really hate getting wet. I probably picked the wrong sport. I don’t mind when you are in the water, but right before you dive in the water is the worst feeling. I feel like my hair is wet from September to March. I always have to wear my hair up. My hair will freeze outside. That is just annoying.

What do you do to get psyched for meet? I guess we have traditions. When it is a home meet, we gang with boards on the blocks. We sing fight songs and a do a cowboy cheer. Swimming is very mental, so I just sit there and try not to think until I am actually on the blocks.

Do you have any superstitions? I always have to paint my toenails, never my fingernails though. I do certain stretches before my race, but nothing too intense.

What do you have in your swim bag? I think I am going to be really boring. Basically just caps, goggles, towels, nothing exciting at all.

Do you have any regrets about swimming? No. I mean you definitely have to make sacrifices on other things. I am not as involved as I would have been otherwise. It has shaped my experience at Georgetown completely in positive ways.

What do you miss the most about home? My mom’s cooking. My mom is Italian. When we got out here, people buy stuff like Prego. For my Mom, sauce is an entire day’s event. Unless I go out to eat Italian, it is completely worthless. I am completely spoiled.

If you could be great at any other sport or event besides swimming, what would it be? Why? Probably something random. Like, I don’t know if you saw the last winter Olympics in Salt Lake when they had curling. I am really excited about that this year. I don’t known how anyone made it a sport. I want to try to go along to ice with a little broom!

Anything you want to do before you graduate? I would like to clear the record board. We have broken three relay records. I think we can go after the two remaining ones this year. I have done basically all the Georgetown traditions: swimming in the fountain, sitting on John Carroll’s lap. . There are a few more I have to hit before I graduate.

Your most embarrassing moment? I actually thought about this one. My sophomore year when I took Organic Chemistry, I bought a big cup of Chai to the room. My friend was flirting with this guy, and her backpack hit me. My Chai spilled all the way down the aisle to the front and the professor. I had to clean it all up with a paper towels to the front of the room, as all my girlfriends watched and didn’t help me. I was bright red.

Who in your life inspires you the most? I guess different people from different aspects of my life. My hematologist has inspired me since I am going off to med school next year. She practices medicine and does research. I have to say my parents in general. They are great people . and I hope to end up like them.

What is your favorite thing to do on the weekends? I like to be completely lazy. It is very nice. I am very busy during the week. I indulge in bad television and sleep in very late.

Favorite Georgetown restaurant? Bangkok Bistro. I always order the Bangkok fried rice, it comes in a big pineapple. It just looks awesome.

Favorite TV show? “Grey’s Anatomy.” Some bad ones, like “Making the Band 3.” You know it is [an] awful kind of television. But it is like a train wreck, and you just have to keep watching. When I went to an interview at Emory, I missed the last episode. The next day at the interview, one of the first years filled me in during the interview.

Favorite movie? “Shawshank Redemption,”Boondock Saints,” and “The Little Mermaid.”

Least Favorite movie? I saw that Mandy Moore one. The one where she was the president’s daughter? It was so bad, that I couldn’t turn it off. “Chasing Liberty!”

Freshman Dorm? Harbin. I actually still live with my roommate from freshman year. In my house of six, four are form the same floor. I really had a great floor.

Any advice for anyone who wants to join Swimming & Diving? Really, get a good schedule so you don’t have to do mornings. I have had to do quite a few morning practices. This year as [a] second semester senior, I have to do three mornings. If you work your classes right, you can have all afternoon practices.

What do you plan to do this spring break? I am going to the Bahamas with my friends.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I guess I would be finishing my residency. I probably will be in a city somewhere. Finally, starting to pay back my loans, which is a depressing thought.

Booey’s or Wisey’s? Booey’s for breakfast, Wisey’s for lunch.

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