Siobhan Haughey ready to step up with Michigan move
Talented Hong Kong athlete hopes to make waves in furthering her studies in America
Hong Kong's brightest talent, Siobhan Haughey, has taken the plunge and will join the University of Michigan next year.
"I'm so excited. I know my family will miss me when I leave in August but they also know that this will be good for my future," said Haughey, who last week was nominated as one of the top athletes for the Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards.
The best is still in front of me. But going to the US is important and is the next chapter in my life and I'm sure it will help me improve and swim faster
"The best is still in front of me. But going to the US is important and is the next chapter in my life and I'm sure it will help me improve and swim faster," said Haughey, who last year swam a personal best of 54.47 seconds in the 100 metres freestyle to win a gold medal at the World Junior Championships in Dubai.
Haughey, who turned 17 on Halloween, has decided to do a psychology degree at the University of Michigan where she will swim for the University's Wolverine women's team.
Her decision has already created waves in the US where Michigan head coach Mike Bottom is rebuilding Michigan women's swimming in the hope they can join the men's team who are perennial top-five contenders in the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association).
"I was very excited even just telling the coaches that I had decided to come there. All the coaches were really happy and said, 'Yes', when I told them my decision. It was such a great feeling to hear that," she said.
"They hope their swimmers do well not only in the pool but also in the classroom and after they graduate. Michigan has a lot of resources and I think I will definitely have a good time there."
Much was expected of Haughey before she took part in her first major event for Hong Kong - last month's Asian Games in Incheon. While she returned with three bronze medals having anchored the women's team in the relay events, the St Paul's Secondary School student failed to win a medal in her individual events including her pet event, the 100m freestyle.
"I had a really tight schedule and I had to do such a lot of events in such a short time. What I learned at the Asian Games was that it was very important for me to know how to recover quickly and pay attention to what I eat, and the time I have to rest and stuff like that."
Haughey is now looking at her next big race - at the 2016 Rio Olympics. But for now, swimming is secondary to studies.
"I'm still in Form Six and will be sitting for my GSE exams in April. I have cut back on my training so I have more time to study," she said.
"After my GSE exams I can focus more on swimming and my next goal is the World championships in August in Russia where hopefully I will make the qualifying time for the Olympics."
