UP & COMERS MARYJANE (MJ) NEILSON

UP & COMERS

AGE GROUP SWIMMER OF THE MONTH

BY SHOSHANNA RUTEMILLER | PHOTO BY KEN BARCINAS

Fifteen-year-old Maryjane (MJ) Neilson is tearing up the pool! The newly aged-up Phoenix Swim Club athlete achieved high-point honors this summer at the Arizona Long Course Age Group Championships. She took home gold in the 400 meter freestyle (4:29.82), 100-200 butterfly (1:03.12, 2:20.22) and 200 IM (2:26.53). She also placed second in the 400 IM (5:14.33) and third in the 100 freestyle (59.96).

This isn’t the first time this versatile swimmer has topped the podium. Neilson hasn’t lost the 100 butterfly at the last four Arizona Age Group Championships! Even though butterfly is her self-proclaimed “best thing she does in swimming,” the medals she’s won in freestyle and IM also speak for themselves.

But swimming fast isn’t the only thing Neilson does at meets. She has a passion for singing and has sung the national anthem before swim meets. In her free time, she volunteers by serving food and care packages to the homeless. She has also coached young swimmers in the YMCA summer recreation league!

WHAT IS THE BEST THING YOU DO IN SWIMMING?

Swimming butterfly is probably what I do best. It is my best stroke, with the 200 fly being one of my best—and favorite—events. I have always loved swimming butterfly, and it was one of the first strokes that I learned. The movement just seemed to feel natural for me.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TOUGHEST WORKOUTS/SETS YOU’VE DONE?

A set that really sticks in my head is one that now doesn’t seem so tough, but at the time was really challenging. It was shortly after moving up to a higher training group and getting used to being back in the water after the COVID shutdown. It started with 8 x 175 on 2:15 best stroke (fly), holding your best 200 SCY time, which for me at that time was 2:06-mid. I ended up surprising myself by holding mostly 2:03s.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT SWIMMING?

I love how it provides the opportunity to meet many different people from teams all over the country. I have made so many great friends through swimming. Some of my best friends swim on different teams, live in other states, and have been—and are still—some of my toughest competitors.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR?

Having a more normal high school experience. I spent my entire freshman year at home, online because of COVID. I have been back to school in-person so far this year, and I love it.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN SWIMMING... AND WHY?

I really look up to Hali Flickinger. Some of her best events are some of the biggest “beasts” in swimming—the 2Fly and 4IM. It takes intense effort, focus and challenging training sets to develop the power and endurance to make up for the height advantage taller swimmers have. I feel like I have to train and compete harder and stronger, stroke for stroke, compared to my taller peers. Hali inspires me because of what she has been able to accomplish in her swimming career. She is proof that you don’t have to be the tallest one on the block to be an elite swimmer, make the Olympic team, stand on the podium, and come home with medals. I’d love to meet her and try a 200 fly set with her. It would be an honor just to swim next to her!

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES?

I love doing nails—mine and my friends. Gel and dip are my favorite. I also love playing with my golden retriever, Phoebe, and competing—in anything—with my twin brother, Teddy.v

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