University of North Carolina Athletics
GoHeels Exclusive: Moffitt & Baldwin Ready To Shine On International Stage
August 16, 2017 | Swimming & Diving, Featured Writers
by Pat James
Throughout last season, her final one at North Carolina, Hellen Moffitt was unsure how much longer her swimming career would last.
Moffitt, a math decision sciences and economics double major, knew her May graduation was on the horizon and with it, the end of her college eligibility. But despite wanting to continue her career on the national level, it seemed unrealistic.
"I've always wanted to keep swimming," said Moffitt, the NCAA runner-up in the 100-yard butterfly in March. "But I just didn't know if it was something I could do, because in order to keep swimming postgrad you have to be pretty good to make it work financially.
"I wasn't sure if it would really be something that was practical. But I talked to (assistant) coach Sean (Quinn) and he told me if it was something I really wanted to do, I should go after it."
So she did. And after finishing second in the 50-meter butterfly and fifth in the 100-meter butterfly at the Phillips 66 U.S. Swimming National Championships and World Championships Trials in June, Moffitt earned a spot on the U.S. roster for the World University Games (WUGs), beginning Saturday in Taipei City, Taiwan.
However, she's not the Tar Heels' lone representative.
Joining Moffitt on the 40-swimmer roster is Caroline Baldwin, a rising senior who qualified in the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle events. Duncan Sherrard, entering his third season as a UNC assistant coach, is also serving as one of three assistant coaches for the women's team. He'll coach Moffitt, Baldwin and two other athletes during the WUGs.
The trio's participation adds to the Tar Heels' extensive history at the WUGs, which 22 other UNC swimmers have appeared on rosters since 1977.
"Based off the past experiences and success that UNC has had before I got here," Sherrard said, "it's a badge of honor to represent the United States and it's something that our kids go out there and want to achieve.
"They know the history. They know that multiple team members in the past have made these teams," he added. "So they want to go out there and achieve it for themselves and achieve that for UNC. It leads to a lot of commitment and dedication from our athletes."
For a majority of Tar Heel swimmers, the last meet of the summer was the U.S. Open Swimming Championships, which concluded August 6. Baldwin and Moffitt's schedules will be extended about three extra weeks.
Both swimmers spent most of July in Chapel Hill. But looking for a change of scenery, they started altitude training at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado on August 1 and stayed there until last Thursday.
Unlike college practices, where they're surrounded by several teammates, Moffitt and Baldwin have mostly trained alone ahead of the WUGs.
"It's kind of hard to train by yourself," Baldwin said. "There's no one right next to you to push you and while you're swimming, you don't know how you're doing until you get the time when you get to the wall. It gets less serious.
"I've learned just how to entertain myself more while swimming, and we've learned how to become more intrinsically motivated."
However, on some occasions, Baldwin and Moffitt said they've simultaneously practiced for their respective events in neighboring lanes.
"She's such a workhorse," said Baldwin of Moffitt. "She'll give 100 percent in every single practice she's in and she always has the best attitude about it. It could be the hardest practice ever, and she'd be like, 'That was pretty fun. It was hard, but it was fun.' She's just so positive and it helps me out a lot."
In addition to having a teammate with them, both swimmers acknowledged how helpful Sherrard's presence will be in Taipei City.
Since joining Rich DeSelm's staff in 2015, Sherrard, the former head swimming coach at Division II's Florida Southern College, has served as Baldwin's primary coach. He's also assisted in Moffitt's training.
"Who would have known that a little over two years ago, when I accepted the position to come here, that I would be able to develop an athlete who was going to go out there and represent the United States?" Sherrard said. "Caroline was basically one spot away from making the World Championships team, and Hellen was two spots away.
"To be able to work with those level of athletes, it's pretty remarkable and it really is a blessing."
The WUGs, which features swimmers ages 17-23 who are current college students or recent graduates, has long been regarded as a springboard to international success. Only the Olympic Games are a larger multi-sport competition.
And on such a grand stage, Moffitt, Baldwin and Sherrard will represent both their country and the Tar Heels.
"It's something I've never really thought I'd be able to do," Moffitt said. "But since I came to school and saw people older than me go through this, it's something I've always dreamed of doing.
"Having two athletes and one coach being able to represent USA and UNC at an international level, I think, is really special."
Players Mentioned
