24: Future is Bright for Huff, Hawkeyes

April 19, 2010

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Editor’s note: 24 Hawkeyes to Watch is a feature released Wednesday, Aug. 12, highlighting one athlete from each of the 24 intercollegiate sports offered by the University of Iowa. More than 700 talented student-athletes are currently busy preparing for the 2009-10 athletics year at the UI. Hawkeyesports.com will introduce you to 24 Hawkeyes who, for one reason or another, are poised to play a prominent role in the intercollegiate athletics program at the UI in the coming year.

By Richie Zawistowski

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The past season marked the end of an era for University of Iowa swimming and diving as it closed the Field House pool. That doesn’t mean the future is not brighter than ever.

Jordan Huff completed his freshman campaign for the Hawkeyes, and although he may be listed as a rookie, his level of play was far from your average freshman.

A native of Dubuque, Iowa, Huff graduated from Senior High School, and has declared psychology as his major.

Like most youngsters, he started swimming because his parents and siblings were already involved in the sport.

“I started around age four or five, mainly because my mom and dad had been in swimming, and my older brother was in swimming, so they got me involved with the Dubuque community Y (YMCA) and the local club team.”

Much has changed since his days swimming at the Dubuque YMCA and community clubs. Huff is now a leader on the UI squad that is coming off its best finish in the Big Ten Conference tournament in 14 years, placing sixth.

Huff understands life at the University of Iowa is about more than trying to be the best he can be in the pool, but rather finding a balance between working in the pool and working in the classroom.

“The biggest adjustment was getting used to the workload for both swimming and school,” Huff said. “I was able to coast my way through high school academically, but when you get here, you need to be studying every night. The adjustment for swimming was more intense workouts than I’d ever experienced, so it was definitely a change, but through working hard, I think I came out alright.”

UI head swimming coach Marc Long doesn’t see the adjustment from high school to the University of Iowa as too big of one for Huff.

“Jordan is a very dedicated and sincere athlete and person,” said Long. “That’s what makes him so successful and valuable to a team.

“His discipline is something that’s contagious, so he’s not only going to be dedicated to himself and stay after and work on things — the little things like the turns, the technique — he’s going to stay after and take care of that, but he’s also going to bring people with him. He’s going to be vocal and he’s going to lead by example, and that’s both in the pool and out of the pool.”

Lead he does, as Huff’s first year in the pool was a good one.

He was part of the 800 free relay that broke the UI record in February at the Big Ten championships (6:27.66). The record-breaking time was nearly two seconds better than the previous school mark. Along with Huff, the relay included Paul Gordon, Duncan Partridge and Brian Farris.

Huff also anchored the 400 medley relay in the final dual at the Field House Pool. Along with Byron Butler, Matt Ryan and Gordon, the team crushed the competition, winning by more than 20 seconds in 3:25.62.

“I love relays,” said Huff. “Regardless of what position, I love swimming on them. My adrenaline gets going. I really like anchoring it especially if it’s a close race, because I like bringing it home.”

The 200 freestyle is his favorite race.

“There’s so much unknown about it,” said Huff. “Is it a sprint, is it distance? So many people have different ways to do it, and they’re successful at it in many different ways, and you just get to go out there and race people.”

While some swimmers focus on one or two events, Huff is open to any event that Long wants him to partake in. That attitude is a great asset to any team, and exactly what Long is talking about in regard to leadership and discipline.

“I told coach Long, wherever you need me in dual meets, throw me in there ,” Huff said. “I’m always open to doing different events. I’m more comfortable with freestyle, but I have swum backstroke at a couple bigger meets and I would be open to doing that, but I definitely love the 100 and 500 freestyle and that’s what I’m looking at right now.”

Long see’s Huff as a swimmer who will be contributing in several races.

“He’s got a whole host of other events, certainly in the freestyle,” said Long. “He’ll be swimming some different freestyle events for us next year. He’s also got a good backstroke that we haven’t seen too much of, but I know he’s good at that. He has other events, but clearly his freestyle has taken off and had the biggest impact right now in the Big Ten and in the NCAA.”

The University Wellness and Recreation Center is the new and improved facility that has Huff excited for the future.

“We’re going to have a pool that’s actually 50 meters and both sides are 25 yards,” Huff said. “We can start hosting Big Ten’s again; we haven’t done that in a long time. We feel it will bring some elite swimmers in recruiting classes. It’s the next step in Hawkeye swimming.”

That step is something that should excite all fans of UI swimming.