Cameron McHugh, an NCAA All-American and CSCAA Scholar All-America, has grown throughout her time at Arizona.
"I have learned so much about being a part of a team and working with others. When I was younger, swimming was an individual sport. Now that I am in college, it is all about what is best for the team and what I can do to make the team most successful," McHugh said. "This has helped me become a better swimmer and grow as a person."
As a freshman, the Katy, Texas native swam the 200 back in 1:57.36 for the second-fastest time on the team. That season she had the third fastest in both the 100 back and 200 IM. McHugh earned All-America honors at the NCAA Championships in the 800 free relay with
Taylor Schick,
Bonnie Brandon and Elizabeth Pepper after an eighth place finish (7:03.48). She also earned All-American Honorable Mention as a member of the 400 free relay after finishing in the top 16.
McHugh is a CSCAA Scholar All-America honoree from her sophomore season. She also was named to the Pac-12 All-Academic Second Team for her academic accomplishments. McHugh then earned All-America Honorable Mention honors in the 400 free relay with a ninth-place finish at the NCAA Championships. She won the 200 back with a 1:57.74 against No. 7 USC.
The Pope John XXIII graduate holds her high school's record for the 100 back, 200 free, 200 IM, and 500 free. She is a letter winner in each of those events. She was the MVP her freshman year and made All-District KISD, All-Region team, All-State Division 1 team, and All-America team.
Assistant Coach
Brandy Maben had kind words to say about the junior. "Cameron is the ideal student-athlete. Amazing work ethic, great student, leader by action and a constant effort to build her leadership skills as a team captain. She qualified for the NCAA Championships last week for the first time as an individual, and all is because of her efforts in and out of the water. No one is more deserving and we can't wait to see what else she brings to the table for her team, the A and herself!"
ArizonaWildcats.com sat down with McHugh to talk about her top swimming memories, hobbies, and more.
Top-Four Swim Memories
1. My first Olympic Trials was so memorable because it was such a dream come true. I was able to compete with the best in the world and on a stage that I never imagined being able to compete on.
2. Making my first individual National Championship cut sticks out in my mind because it was rather recent and my whole team was very supportive. That was something I had never experienced and will never forget. All my teammates ran up to me and gave me the biggest hugs. Knowing that my personal success also benefited the team was so rewarding.
The product of Katy, Texas swam the 200 back in 1:53.76 to earn her first individual NCAA 'B' cut at the Texas Invitational this past week.
3. When I was living in Thailand I was on an Asian All Star team and we got to swim in Perth, Australia. It is a historic pool that I am still grateful I had the opportunity to swim in.
4. My freshman year, our relay won All-American status and made it on the podium. There was a senior girl, Pepper, on our relay and to see how emotional she got about making it on the NCAA podium at her last swim meet was so cool.
McHugh, along with Taylor Schick, Bonnie Brandon, and Elizabeth Pepper, got eighth place in the 800 free relay with 7:03.48, to earn an All-America honors.
Hobbies
1. Watching movies. I am a huge movie buff, old and new. My family always loved watching movies as a family and it stuck with me as I grew up.
2. Reading. It is hard to find a good book when classes are in full swing but I love reading when I travel and on breaks.
3. Anything that has to do with water. I love being around water whether it's a lake, a pool, or the ocean. That's one of the reasons I gravitated toward the sport of swimming when I was younger.
4. Doodling. I'm an engineer so I'm not much of an artist but I love to doodle. I find it relieves a lot of my stress.
Travel Destinations
1. Italy - the history is unbelievable and I believe everyone should get the chance to experience it.
2. New Zealand - my family and I drove an RV through New Zealand when I was younger. It was so beautiful and the people are so nice.
3. Turks and Caicos - there is a resort there that is great for relaxing with beautiful waters and white sandy beaches.
4. Louisiana - great food and great people.
Movie Characters
1. Bryan Mills from Taken (the first one). I'm a huge Liam Neeson fan and I love the movie and what an intense character he is.
2. Leigh Ann Tuohy from Blindside. She is so loving but also very straight forward and does not take anything from anyone.
3. Cousin Eddie from Christmas Vacation. My family watches Christmas Vacation every year to kick off our holiday season. I love Cousin Eddie because he is hilarious!
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