Pogue finds comfort in Carthage team approach

CARTHAGE — Maggie Pogue's accomplishments in the pool this year may scream, "look at me," but her voice is much more modest. It is more likely to be heard screaming, "look at us."

The North Carolina native has approached her three-year swimming career at Carthage High School with a team-over-self mentality that helped her to become the Frontier League's top performer this fall, holding top times in several events.

Pogue said she believes the secret to that success is rooted in the "B" Division title she and her teammates secured by going 12-2.

"There are definitely meets when I've been a lot more motivated to swim faster so we could get a team win," Pogue said Tuesday.

Pogue didn't grow up training to one day become a member of the Comets' varsity squad. Instead, she's lived the life of a typical military kid, moving every few years to wherever Mom or Dad were stationed next.

The senior standout came to Carthage as a sophomore from Maryland, where she spent several years swimming for the North Baltimore Aquatic Club.

The club's credentials are impressive, according to its Web site, having produced 10 Olympic athletes, including 2008's eight-time gold medal winner Michael Phelps.

While she was obviously receiving expert instruction, Pogue would have liked to see the club focus more on team objectives. That's why she believes moving to Carthage was such a blessing.

"There was team-bonding in Baltimore, but team wins weren't as much a big deal as going after personal times," she said. "Here the goals are so much more team-oriented. I like that."

Pogue finished the 2008 season a half-second shy of qualifying for state competition in the 100 butterfly. She's not that close yet this year to earning a state berth, but her local dominance can't be questioned.

She holds league-best times in the 200 and 500 freestyle events, 100 butterfly, and is tied with Watertown's Kathryn McKinney for the top mark in the 200 individual medley.

Pogue's efforts have also helped the Comets hold the season's top marks in the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays.

"Maggie's just a very hard worker, and very conscious of her teammates," coach Nancy Mushtare said. "The team made her feel welcome when she got here. It was almost like she'd been here forever. She's always fit right in."

Pogue said she's interested in attending either Campbell University or Valparaiso University after graduation, and possibly joining the swim team.

The sport has been a year-round endeavor for Pogue since she was 8 years old, and she also competes with USA Swimming on Fort Drum.

She'll likely continue swimming for years to come, but Pogue expects she'll miss competing for the Comets.

"I just like to motivate my teammates and myself," she said, "because we're all working toward the same team goal."