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Mooney’s Tofil back at state
Mooney swimmer shook off disappointing end
to her junior season and used it as motivation
By Curtis Pulliam
Youngstown
Before she jumps into the cold pool before her 100-meter butterfly Taylor Tofil likes to listen to upbeat music, including songs like Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off.”
As a former competitive dancer Tofil shakes off the nerves and the thoughts of her junior year before hitting the water.
“I’m a good dancer,” said a confident, smiling Tofil.
As a sophomore, Tofil surprised her own expectations by making the state tournament in the 100 butterfly.
“I was just really excited to qualify and get out there and to be able to see what it was like,” said Tofil, who placed ninth in the 2013 districts.
After finishing 20th at state two years ago, Tofil still feels the disappointment from last swim season when she fell short of the state tournament as a junior.
“It was heart-breaking,” said the senior swimmer from Cardinal Mooney. “I just didn’t have my best swim at districts and I missed it. It was really hard to get back into it after the season ended.”
Tofil had to regroup this offseason and work harder than ever.
Susan Nutter, who coaches Tofil and the YMCA Neptunes, saw a difference in her after junior year.
“It was disappointing for her but she didn’t let her bother her,” Nutter said. “She came back more determined than ever.”
Cardinal Mooney swim coach Tom Boniface says Tofil would swim twice a day and even on weekends to improve.
“She re-dedicated herself,” Boniface said. “Most accomplished swimmers like Michael Phelps have a great wing span or height but Taylor doesn’t have any of those gifts. But she’s used her work ethic to overcome that.”
Tofil says Boniface never doubted her ability to bounce back.
“He’s always supported me and he had faith that I could do it,” she said.
After spending many hours in pools all over the Valley, Tofil reached this week’s state tournament in the 100 butterfly.
“I used that feeling that I had after junior year as motivation,” she said. “I didn’t want to get that terrible feeling again.”
Last week she placed fifth at the district meet with a time of 59.75.
“My goal had been to break one minute since sophomore year,” Tofil said. “To do that at districts was really exciting since I saw all my hard work pay off.”
She is seeded 24th in the state meet, which takes place today and Friday at the C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton.
“My goal for state is to get in and swim the best time I can,” Tofil said.
Tofil has learned a lot since the end of her junior season.
“Biggest thing I’ve learned is to never give up,” Tofil said. “You just have to keep training hard and just not stop because it will eventually pay off.”
Tofil and her coaches are hoping whatever time she gets leads her into the final 16.
“She told me that she has a lot more to give,” Nutter said. “I think with the positive speak in her mind, she can do it. It would be wonderful to see her be in the 58-second range.”
Even with previous state experience, upbeat music and the confidence that comes from dance, Tofil knows she will be nervous.
“Thinking about it, I’m just excited,” she said. “But when I get there I’m sure I’ll be a little nervous.”