After slow start to career, Bailey among OSU’s best
When Meg Bailey arrived at Ohio State from halfway around the world four years ago, the swimmer’s first season was hardly a smashing success.
“(She) was not really good her first year,” Ohio State director of swimming and diving Bill Dorenkott said with a grin, “and I’m probably being generous there.”
Bailey acknowledges that she didn’t train as hard as she could have before leaving Australia. The results showed.
“I was just embarrassed that they had brought me all the way over here and I didn’t meet the expectations that I set for myself and I’m sure others had set for me,” Bailey said.
But her teammates and coaches provided support, and her career got on track. As the Big Ten women’s swimming and diving championships come to OSU’s McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion starting Wednesday, Bailey has become one of the Buckeyes’ best hopes for glory.
A year ago, she finished in the top four in all three of her events — the 200-yard butterfly, 200 individual medley and 400 I.M. She hopes to do even better this week, though Olympic champion Lilly King of Indiana will be among the competition in the 200 I.M.
Michigan is the defending champion, and Indiana, led by King, will also be formidable.
But Ohio State, which finished fifth a year ago, hopes to make a push.
“On paper, it’s the best team in 30 years,” Dorenkott said. “We’ve got a heck of a team. But we’ve got some tough competition. It’s a difficult league.
“Michigan is loaded. Indiana is traditionally one of the top two teams in the Big Ten. So they’re both in spots we want to be in. Our focus is seeing how high we can be here and I believe we can be a top-10 team in NCAAs, which is four weeks from now back here (at McCorkle).”
In addition to Bailey, Dorenkott said Ohio State’s standouts include senior Liz Li, sophomore Molly Kowal and a strong freshman class led by Freya Rayner.
After Bailey’s early struggles, Dorenkott has particular fondness for her.
“She’s an amazing human being,” he said. “She’s positive. She’s tough. She’s selfless. She’s humble. She gives energy. There’s nothing you can give her trainingwise that she won’t try. She’s one of the favorite kids I’ve ever coached.”
For Bailey, the Big Ten championships will be particularly special because of the presence of her mother, Therese, who flew 15 hours from Australia for Senior Day.
“Complete surprise,” Bailey said. “I just burst out in tears. It was one of the best moments ever.”
Therese has made it an extended stay with Meg. Back home, Meg’s dad, Gary, and sister, Ellen, are trying to hold down the fort.
“He’s having a rough time,” Meg said with a laugh of Gary. “He really doesn’t know how to cook or clean. My sister is having a rough time doing everything. They’re like, ‘Please, mom. Come home.’”
She will after the Big Ten championships, as will Meg as she tries out for the Australian national team for the Commonwealth Games. But her attention for now is strictly on this week.
“I haven’t been more excited for a meet than right now,” she said.