Professor to compete in his third national swimming competition

One SFA professor traveled about 450 miles last year…in a swimming pool.

Dr. Craig Wood, computer science department chairman and professor, recently qualified for his third national U.S. Masters' Swimming competition in five years and will travel to Austin in May to compete.

The self described "tough athlete" never swam competitively until seven years ago, when Carrie Scroggins, Nacogdoches High School swim coach, saw him exercising in the school's pool and asked if he had interest in the sport. She advised him to contact Erik Cozadd, East Texas Masters' Swim member and Boys and Girls Club aquatics director, who introduced him to the Masters' competitions.

Wood, who played baseball at Wooster College and enjoyed running and intramural sports during his graduate school years, suffered a back injury in 1966 and began swimming as an alternate form of exercise.

"When I first started, I could barely make it from one end of the pool to the other without grabbing onto the side and gasping for air," he recalled. "My back wasn't strong enough that I could run, so swimming became my main form of physical fitness."

Although fitness is Wood's reason for practicing the sport, he says the atmosphere of the meets makes swimming more appealing. "It's competitive, but not cut-throat," he noted, praising the talent and quality of other participants. In the past, Olympic qualifiers, NCAA record holders and one person who had swum the English Channel have also taken part.

"I always hold my own with the others," he said. "I'm not the fastest swimmer there, but in the long distance races, I'm able to keep a steady pace."

In the national competition, Woods will compete in the 1650-yard, known as the "mile swim" in the 65-69 age division. Competitions are co-ed and open to participants over age 18. Swimmers may race in a heat against any other person but will only be judged against their own age groups.

"The mile swim is one of my favorite events," he said, "but sometimes when I'm swimming it, and I'm not quite halfway done, I find myself wondering why I took up this sport or why I didn't choose a shorter event."

He believes the key to success in the 66-length race is focus. "It's easy to start daydreaming," he said," but I have to stop myself, because if I'm daydreaming, I'm not concentrating."

For his daily workout, Wood swims between 1,600 and 3,000 meters, during which time he says he often allows himself to think about everything, including his plans for his next day's classes. His wife, who accompanies him to most competitions, often counts his laps and helps him to time and log his progress.

"My wife might say I'm a sports fanatic," he said. And while he disagrees with the characterization, he calls athletics a "central part" of his life. He remembers attending his brothers' baseball games as a small child, before beginning to play. Unlike many other professionals, he does not perceive a conflict between athletics and academics.

"I think both can go well together," he said. "The only time I have a problem is when universities or high schools put resources into sports at the expense of academics. When there is no equity, the students suffer, and that's why the conflict occurs."

Wood, who earned a master's degree and doctoral degree from Florida State University, says he respects students who are academic and athletic. He attends Lumberjack sporting events and discusses the games with student athletes before and after class.

"That kind of encouragement can be really important," he said, citing others' encouragement and attitudes as reasons for his success. "People like Erik (Cozadd) deserve a lot of credit for what the Masters' swimmers have done. They set aside time for us and create an environment that allows accomplishment and camaraderie."

The East Texas Masters' Swimmers are seeking new members. Anyone interested in competing may contact Cozadd at the Boys and Girls Club of Nacogdoches.