Athlete of the Week: Popp's Performance Leads Women's Swimming and Diving to Ivy Title

Going into the Ivy League Championship Meet, freshman Meagan Popp had seen her fair amount of high-placing finishes, but she had yet to top the podium as a member of the Harvard women’s swim team. Three days later, Popp’s name has been stamped into the Crimson record books a grand total of three times.

The Newport Beach, Calif., native shattered records across a variety of events—the 200 IM, 100 breaststroke, and as a member of the 800 free team.

But it is not the glory, scoring, nor record breaking that drives Popp.

“We just had fun,” Popp said. “Dancing on the pool deck, singing along to our favorite songs are all things we do every day at practice. And we made it our goal to treat the meet like practice, because we are at our best when we are our usual selves.”

This casual environment certainly worked out for Popp. While the previous top-seven Harvard times in the 200 IM were within 0.7 seconds of each other, Popp’s time of 1:57.94 crushed the record by nearly three seconds.

The freshman’s 100 breast trumped a record set only two years ago by former captain Stephanie Ferrell ’15. Popp completed the race in 1:01.65, edging out Farrell’s record by 0.25 seconds. But despite the historic performance, Popp’s performance garnered only a silver at Ivies.

For her final record of the weekend, Popp’s hand in the 800 free relay saw yet another record fall. The quartet of Popp, junior Daniela Johnson, freshman Sonia Wang, and sophomore Geordie Enoch earned a second-place finish at Ivies, touching the wall in 7:12.78.

Senior Danielle Lee, a Crimson record holder in the 100 and 200 back, and relay teammate of Popp’s, attributed the freshman’s success in the pool to her work ethic.

“She works extremely hard at practice,” Lee said.“She pushes her herself every day at the pool and is always willing to swim on faster intervals.”

Popp’s dominance at the Ancient Eight championship was not only restricted to breaking records. Alongside Lee, Johnson, and senior Kendall Crawford, Harvard’s 3:38.44 finish proved good enough for silver in the 400 medley relay.

A bronze medal was also awarded to Lee, Popp, freshman Brittany Usinger and sophomore Gabby Sims in the 200 medley relay for their time of 1:40.33.

The age diversity in the relay teams reflects the depth of the program, with rookies and veterans alike bringing new talent to the table.

“We recruited an incredible freshman class this year,” Lee said.“The biggest role that the seniors play on the team... is to guide the underclassmen and give them advice, especially since we have already been through four seasons.”

Popp took yet another individual gold in the 200 breast, where she tied for first with a time of 2:12.18.

In addition to the slew of individual and relay record-breaking and podium-topping performances, every one of Popp’s times in individual events at Ivies qualified for the NCAA ‘B’ cut standard.

It is not just the points on the board that qualify this freshman’s value to the team. Popp’s teammates feed off her positive energy.

“You can always count on Meagan to be smiling and having a positive attitude no matter what,” Lee said. “Her happiness is contagious. Meagan’s can-do attitude and ‘Let’s go ladies’ cheer help the team get through tough practices.”

Ultimately, all the success and energy Popp brings to the team is mirrored in the strength she finds in her teammates; swimming is not at all an individual endeavor for Popp.

“Every member of the team kept a level head, and after this weekend, I think we all learned that we are better as a whole than we are individually,” Popp said.

Staff writer Isabel DeLaura can be reached at isabel.delaura@thecrimson.com.