TWENTY QUESTIONS: Cat Goodearl, Barnstable swimming
By Mike Richard news@barnstablepatriot.com
Apr 7, 2020 at 8:32 AM Apr 7, 2020 at 8:32 AM
Barnstable senior swim captain Catherine "Cat" Goodearl has been a dependable performer since she was an eighth grader.
This season, she has competed in the 200 individual medley and 100-yard backstroke, as well as being a member of the state-qualifying 200-medley relay team along with teammates Sherri Danforth, Summer Stagman and Eva Cotreau.
Yet when she looks back over the five years that she has competed for the Barnstable swim team, it was a moment when she was an eighth grader that was one of the highlights of her swim career.
"A lot of eighth graders don't get the chance to compete at the high school level," she said, "so when I qualified for states as an eighth grader, it was just a great moment for me."
She qualified for the states in the 100-yard butterfly, where she finished 24th, and was also a member of both the 200-yard freestyle and 200-yard medley relays.
"I've had some great accomplishments with swimming, but that was probably my most memorable because it doesn't happen very often, so I took that as my start," she noted. "It was the moment where I was like, 'I can do this.'"
Goodearl explained that qualifying for the state meet helped to light a fire under her which has continued throughout her career as she has participated in states all five years of high school.
"I worked really hard that season because I was so young, and I wanted to show that I was a competitor," she said. "When I finally got there, it was at my championship meet, and I was really proud of myself."
As a freshman, she placed 21st in the 100-yard butterfly at states, while the following year she placed 16th in both the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard backstroke. She also competed in the backstrokes at the states as a junior.
This season, her 200-medley relay was seeded 14th in the state meet and wound up finishing 12th overall.
"We dropped around two seconds, which was amazing. Two seconds is a lot," she marveled. "We all dropped time in states, in all of our splits, in our relays. It was really a great."
Goodearl will major in nursing next year at either Fitchburg State or Salem State University and doubts she will continue swimming with such a rigorous course load.
"It's a very tough major, and the college load is a lot," she said, adding about swimming, "It is a lifelong sport, so it's nice that I may be able to carry it through in the future."
20 Questions with Cat Goodearl
1. Favorite subject: Anatomy and Physiology
2. Favorite book: "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
3. Favorite food: Crisp's Margarita Pizza
4. Favorite movie: "A Dog's Purpose"
5. Favorite TV show: "Law and Order SVU"
6. Favorite Cape restaurant: Crisp Flatbreads in Osterville
7. Favorite Cape hangout: Dowses Beach
8. Favorite sports team: Boston Bruins
9. Favorite athlete: Missy Franklin
10. Favorite 'pump-up" music: Anything by Linkin Park
11. Best advice I've received: "Always treat others, no matter who they are, with courtesy and civility (as you would want to be treated). Set your ego aside and be thankful for your good fortune while remembering that not everyone is as fortunate." - my mom
12. Person I'd most like to meet: Misty May-Treanor
13. Hobbies and interests: Spending time with my friends and family, swimming, going to the beach, playing volleyball
14. Own greatest sports moment: Qualifying for States in an individual event (100-yard butterfly) my eighth-grade year
15. Most inspirational person: My mom. She gives me endless advice; she is strong and smart and an extremely hard worker.
16. Pregame rituals / superstitions: I always crack my toes before I hop into the pool for a backstroke race.
17. Bucket list place to visit: Ireland and Italy
18. Biggest sports setback or obstacle: Last year I had multidirectional instability and tendinitis in my left shoulder during the swim season.
19. College plans / major: As of right now I'm not positive on where I will be going, but I will be majoring in Nursing!
20. Advice to young athletes: Set personal goals and celebrate each accomplishment no matter how small. Don't get discouraged if you have setbacks. Never compare your journey to anyone else's journey. But most importantly don't forget to have fun.
Know someone who'd be a great candidate for the Barnstable Patriot's 20 Questions feature? Email Mike Richard at mikerichard0725@gmail.com.