Lily McCoy commits to swim for UMBC Retrievers

Lily+McCoy+signs+the+papers+to+swim+for+UMBC+in+2018.

Natalie Rebetsky

Lily McCoy signs the papers to swim for UMBC in 2018.

On November 8, Lily McCoy officially signed her National Letter of Intent, to swim at the University of Maryland Baltimore County 2018-2019.

McCoy is planning to major in biology and to pursue a career as an orthodontist.

McCoy said UMBC is the best fit for her because “I liked the swim team’s atmosphere.” McCoy also wanted to be a Retriever because their swimming team specializes in breaststroke.

Throughout McCoy’s swim career in high school, she swam for Monocacy Aquatic Club. She participated in the 2017 NCSA Summer Championships in August 2017. She swam the 100 L Breast with a time of 1:20.32, earning first place in that event.

McCoy started swimming when she was 13, which is late for most competitors. When she first started, she saw it as a challenge that she could overcome. She said her dad is her biggest supporter, always pushing her to do her best.

Mr. Janvier Beaver, her current club coach for Monocacy Aquatic Club, said, “Swimming is a hard sport. Lily has come so far. Not many people can start swimming sophomore year and do what she has done.”

She plans to balance academics and athletics by using time management skills to get work done.

Beaver said, “Lily is amazing in the classroom. She sets goals in all aspects of life.”

“I can’t be more proud as a coach than I am for Lily. UMBC is getting a great swimmer,” said Beaver.