STONY BROOK, N.Y. — As Mary Kate Conway searched for a college, her criteria included more than a Division I swimming program at a top-notch academic institution.

She also wanted the opportunity to continue her passion for music, and a coach supportive of that time-consuming endeavor.

Conway, a freshman from Schenectady in upstate New York, found her match with coach Kerry Smith and Stony Brook women's swimming.

Conway actually did not bring her violin to campus this semester because she wanted to ensure her full devotion to academics when she is not training in the pool. But she already has laid the groundwork to pursue her music passion once she gets her feet wet in college.

"I've already received emails from ensembles on campus," Conway said. "And I want to start my own club — just a quartet. At orientation, there was someone who played in the orchestra. I was like. 'OK, I have an 'in' now."

Still, she added: "Schoolwork comes first. And, since I'm a D-I athlete, swimming is right close behind it. I'm going to be in the pool anywhere between two and four hours a day."

In high school, Conway would wake up at 5 a.m. for swimming practice before attending classes. She would practice music at least one hour per day, then ramp it up to as long as three hours per day as competitions approached. Conway also plays viola and guitar.

She was selected for area all-state as a musician, but was unable to perform because the event coincided with the state swimming meet — "which was sad, but I can say I made it," she said.

Academically, Conway currently is interested in pursuing a medical career, not life as a full-time musician. But anything is possible. She notes that she also likes art and may change her career path as she experiences more subjects in college.

"I just like learning. I'm one of those kids," she said. "I'm the type of person who says, 'Oh, that's interesting. Now I've got to spend two hours and learn everything about it.'"

In the pool, Conway competed in the 50-, 100- and 200-yard freestyle and 200 butterfly while in high school.

Her top event was the 200 free. She finished in the top 10 in the state in the event.

She is becoming equally adept at the 200 fly.

Her 800 freestyle relay won Futures, a club event that included participants from throughout the Eastern region.
 
"When Mary Kate mentioned her love for music and wanting to continue in college, there was no hesitation for us to find a way to make that happen for her," Smith said. "I find it extremely important that the team looks to be well-rounded and the student-athletes find something they are passionate about and take that on as well.

"As a coach, I was lucky to be mentored by Jim Henry, Yale's head coach, who taught me how to help the swimmers and divers pursue their other passions while still competing at a high level athletically. I am excited to see what Mary Kate does in the pool, but also am excited to listen to her play."