Between the Lanes: Q&A with James Peek

DURHAM, N.C. – Junior James Peek and 200-yard medley relay teammates Kaz Takabayashi, Peter Kropp and David Armstrong enter this week's Nike Cup Invitational with the third-fastest mark in the nation. Peek, a British Olympic Trials qualifier in the 50 and 100-meter freestyle, recently sat down with GoDuke.com to talk about individual and relay goals for the final meet of the fall season.

GoDuke.com: The men's 200 medley relay returns all four members from last season's NCAA qualifying group. What does it mean for you guys to have that kind of experience coming into this year?
James Peek: Last season we really got a taste of what competing at the highest level is about. Getting that experience was awesome. So I think transitioning that mentality and that winning mindset back into this season and the rest of the team is very important to our success.

GoDuke.com: Along with Kaz, Peter and David, you guys have been able to break your own pool record in all three home meets this fall. Was that an expectation coming in?
JP: We go into every meet hoping we swim fast and hoping to improve every time. As the season goes on, we count up the yardage and we hope to see that reflected in our performances. I think the last dual meet we saw Cal go pretty quick and we wanted to go not quite that quick, but we wanted to replicate a 26 [1:26]. We got up on the blocks that day and we really raced fast.

GoDuke.com: How do Kaz, Peter and David help you push yourself in the pool?
JP: Kaz has trained very hard this summer and he has really seen that pay dividends this semester. He's PB'ing [personal bests] in practice a lot and I think that's going to be a crucial component of the leg this year. Peter's come back really strong. He had a great summer as well. And he's one of the quickest breaststrokers in the country, if not the quickest. And then David, it's his senior year. He's got everything to prove in his senior year – he doesn't want to leave with any regrets. I think it's going to hopefully be a very successful season for the medley relay and also the other relays on the team.

GoDuke.com: What are your relay goals for Nike Cup?
JP: Nike Cup provides a great opportunity to race hard and swim fast, and we're really relishing that prospect. I think last year we were second to NC State at ACCs and we don't know how rested they're going to be, but I think we're going in with the mindset to get [NCAA] cuts – I think that's the primary goal – and just race hard. So if we get the win, that's a bonus.

GoDuke.com: How much fun is it to compete with that group on the 200 medley relay?
JP: It's really fun. We're a close-knit group. We spent a lot of last season together, we were here for spring break together and we've really drawn closer together. We all want success in the pool and we truly believe this is going to be the year we do something special. Last year was our breakout season so hopefully this year we can relive that and ingrain Duke into the swimming world.

GoDuke.com: With your individual events, where do you feel you are at this point in the season and what are your expectations for this meet?
JP: I would hopefully like to PB both my races. I think the goal is to try and get the NCAA cuts so that I don't have to worry about those later on in the season. This season is very hectic for me. I have Olympic Trials, NCAAs and ACCs all in the period of a couple months. So if I swim very well this weekend, which I hope I will, that season becomes a little less hectic.

GoDuke.com: The men's and women's teams are both undefeated in dual meets this fall. What does that say about the direction the program is headed?
JP: It's been a fantastic start. It's definitely been the best in my time, if not the best in history. Everyone has been training rigorously in the pool and I think everyone's really reaping the reward from the labor. Everyone is going into Nike Cup truly relishing the prospect of racing hard and swimming fast, and I really think it's going to be a special meet for us.

GoDuke.com: As an upperclassman and leader on this team, how have you helped the freshmen make the transition to college swimming?
JP: The freshmen are great. Everyone's very committed to the program and have bought in straight away. They really bring a lot of new dynamics to the program that perhaps we didn't have before. The depth has really increased. And I think the transition hasn't been too difficult as they're a very relatable bunch of guys. They enjoy hanging out with us and we enjoy hanging out with them. It's been a pretty easy transition for them. They've really enjoyed that and we're very excited to see them compete this weekend.

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