A-K Valley Senior Spotlight: Freeport’s Mary Anne Altman

By: Ted Sarneso
Monday, March 3, 2025 | 11:11 AM

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Mary Anne Altman’s senior year at Freeport was all about a change in mindset.

Last year, the swimmer didn’t know if she wanted to compete in college and was swimming her best to help the Yellowjackets be successful.

Once she made the decision over the summer to swim in college, it has been a whole new outlook for her.

“I’ve definitely focused more on setting goals,” she said. “I feel like it’s helped me focus where I wanted to train most.”

That led Altman to train year-round for the first time. She had always done a summer session for two or three months at Allegheny Valley YMCA, but this past summer, she went all in.

“It was a big change,” Altman said. “I wanted to see if it could help me get a little faster, and I think it made a difference.”

Even with the increased training, Altman was mindful of what her coach calls “garbage yardage” and takes breaks on the weekends to rest and recover.

“I’ll do one practice a day, either YMCA or high school practice,” she said. “I’m not burning myself out because I don’t want to get bored with the sport or tired of it because I love it so much.”

Altman swam a long course in the summer to improve her arm strength, which she said was lacking last year.

“We were doing huge sets with paddles and all kinds of equipment that strengthened my upper body,” Altman said. “I used that strength later in short course and conditioning to work on my starts, be more explosive off the block and get a faster, more explosive turn.”

One surprise outcome from her training helped Altman check off a huge goal she had set at the start of the year. She qualified for the WPIAL championships in every event.

“It was really crazy because I had always been so bad at breaststroke and backstroke, but this season, I just made the cut by a couple milliseconds, and it was so exciting,” said Altman. “I was so happy to accomplish that feat.”

Altman will compete in the 50 and 100 freestyle races. She is seeded 10th in the 50 and eighth in the 100. She placed 10th in the 50 and 100 free last year. She is also a part of the 200 medley and 400 free relays that finished second and sixth last year and are seeded first and third, respectively.

Altman took some time for a Senior Spotlight Q-and-A:

How are you feeling heading into WPIALs this year?

I’m really excited for it. My 100 free has always been stronger, but the 50 this year, I’m feeling really good about it. I’m looking for some big stuff, maybe even a medal. I’m hoping for some time drops and some personal bests.

What part of your swimming were you looking to improve on this season?

I always struggled with the mental side of swimming. I would get really nervous before my events, especially the 50 free. If you mess one thing up, then your time is just gone, then you’re sad and it ruins the race. I tried to focus on being in a positive mental headspace.

What was it like being a leader on the team?

I have had the pleasure of having my sister, who’s a sophomore, on the team. There are three freshmen I carpool to practice with. I’ll pick them up because their moms all work. I’ve had a lot of fun guiding them. I’m so proud that all three of them qualified for WPIALs this year. I’m helping them overcome nerves, and, to me, that’s the most important part of a team: to rely on each other and help everybody out.

What were your goals for the season?

I wanted to medal at WPIALs in an individual event because I’ve already medaled in the relays. For YMCA, I want to go to nationals in the 50 free because I’m so close to the cut. I’m swimming a 25.01 and that cut is 24.69. If I make it to states for the YMCA, I’ll have four chances to make that time.

Do you hold any school records?

I don’t hold any individual records, but the girls and I in the relay teams have two school records. We have a record time of 1:47.84 in the 200 medley and a 3:38.41 in the 400 free relay.

Favorite high school memory so far?

My favorite memory was this little Christmas party we had. My family hosted and my mom made food and we watched like seven movies. It was so much fun.

Post high school plans?

I’m attending Penn West California, and I’m going to swim for them.

What do you plan on studying?

I plan on majoring in history. I’m deciding on whether to minor in government or economics. I want to further my education and become either a professor or a lawyer. I haven’t decided yet. I feel like being a professor is my calling because both my parents are teachers.

What’s one piece of advice you’d want to leave your teammates?

Be yourself and know your best effort is going to be good enough and your team will appreciate you no matter what.

Tags: Freeport