Stupp is geared up for state swim meet

Photo by Don Adams Jr. | MICDS' Hallie Stupp.

MICDS senior Hallie Stupp was not born in the water. She just spends most of her life there.

Stupp, the defending state champion in the 100-yard butterfly, is gearing up for another potential record-shattering performance at the state swimming and diving championships Feb. 19-20 at the Rec-Plex in St. Peters.

One of the area’s premier competitors, Stupp has excelled in her final prep season, qualifying in six individual events. Because of Missouri High School Activities Association rules, she will probably swim in two individual events and two relays.

Still, Stupp is a lock to make a big splash later this month.

“I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time,” Stupp said. “Everything is going great.”

Stupp, who began swimming competitively at age 6, simply loves the water. She hits the pool six days a week, taking Sundays off. No exceptions. That’s 313 days a year. She began this rigorous training schedule in her early teens after watching her sisters navigate their own careers. Nora, 25, had a successful run at Duke University, while Julie, 23, attends Arizona and played a key role in helping the Wildcats capture the 2008 NCAA championship.

Swimming is the family sport; her two brothers, one older and one younger, are water polo players.

But Hallie may be the best of the bunch.

“She’s very dedicated and puts a lot of time and effort into it,” said her father, John. “You can tell she loves it.”

Added MICDS coach Kristen Kaiser, “When she’s out there, it’s easy to see that she just wants it more than anyone else.”

A standout member of the tradition-rich Parkway Swim Club, Stupp has been turning the heads of college coaches for years. She drew offers from all around the country before choosing Arizona. Stupp also visited USC, Georgia and Florida before deciding to follow her sister to Tucson.

“It just feels like the right place for me,” she said. “I’m going to love it there.”

Stupp has her eyes on a possible berth on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team and could be headed in that direction with a couple of strong college campaigns.

But first she wants to help her team make a run at the top spot in Missouri. A year ago, MICDS placed fourth at state.

“One of the best things about her is that she’s so versatile,” Kaiser said. “She can compete and do well in just about any event.”

This will be Stupp’s third state trip. A year ago, she won the 100 butterfly with a record-breaking time of 54.95 seconds and was runner-up in the 200 individual medley. In addition, she helped the Rams take third in the 100 medley relay and fourth in the 400 freestyle relay.

A two-time All-Metro first-teamer, Stupp was second in the 200 IM and third in the butterfly as a sophomore.

Stupp, 17, has been on fire in recent months. She posted a 53.30 in the 100 freestyle — the top time in the state this season — and helped the Rams go undefeated in dual meets.

Stupp stands 6 feet 1 and uses that to her advantage. She possesses long, powerful strokes that enable her to outkick the competition down the stretch. She is also extremely competitive.

“I really don’t like to lose at anything,” she said. “That’s just the way I am.”

That desire fuels her strong work ethic. While many top swimmers prefer to save their best efforts for national club meets, Stupp loves carrying the banner for her high school.

“It’s fun to be with friends and be part of a team,” she said. “And (state) coming up is the best part.’

Maybe for Stupp, but not for MICDS’ opponents.