Coming Attraction: Matias Koski
October 08, 2015 | Swimming & Diving
Koski Enters Last Season With Bulldogs
By Kelly Williams
High expectations have been set for Matias Koski this season.
Koski begins his fourth season with the Bulldogs with proud memories still lingering of last March when he won the NCAA title in the 1650-yard freestyle (14:32.38).
"The race was really tight," Koski said. "I was pretty much in second or third the whole way until the last 100 yards, which is about the last minute of a 15-minute race. And then coming out on top at the end was pretty cool."
Now entering into his last season with the Bulldogs, Koski is the only returning NCAA champion. He is also a senior, giving him an additional reason to step up as one of the team's leaders this year.
"The coaches say this year is important for me because I have a leadership role and that people look up to me," Koski said. "So I try to set a good example - the best I can in the pool and outside the pool - and by training hard every day."
Prior to joining the Georgia team, Koski represented Finland in numerous international events, including the 2012 London Olympics and the 2013 World Championships in Spain.
Koski considers his race last March in the NCAA Championships as one of his greatest accomplishments, however.
"Any big meet, such as SECs or NCAAs, is really fun," Koski said. "There's a lot of energy and everyone gets behind each other. Obviously winning NCAAs last year was really great. That was definitely the peak of my career."
Koski's position as an experienced senior gives him an opportunity to encourage the younger swimmers and push them in the same way he was pushed when he first joined the team in 2012.
"We've got a great group of freshmen and the sophomores were great last year," Koski said. "So I think we're set up to have a pretty good season."
Growing up as a distance swimmer, Koski was immediately drawn to Georgia's legendary distance program. However, now entering into his final season, Koski hopes to turn his focus to middle distance, which includes the 200-yard and 500-yard freestyle.
"For this first meet, I'm hoping to get an idea of where I am in my training," Koski said. "I think everyone uses the first meet to see how in shape they are and to see what they need to work on for the next meet."
This year, the Bulldogs hope to continue their streak of having at least one male or female individual or relay winning an NCAA title. Although Koski is coming off a big win last season, Georgia senior associate head coach Harvey Humphries expects even more from him this season.
"Matias has a lot of ability and a lot of talent," Humphries said. "I think anyone with a lot of talent and ability can experience a lot of success without focusing on details. But I think probably what needs to happen now with Matias is for him to make his bad days better than they have ever been. His bad days really need to be better than others' good days, and he has the ability to do that."
Koski and his Georgia teammates will kick off the 2015-16 season against North Carolina on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Gabrielsen Natatorium.
Kelly Williams is a senior from Atlanta, Ga., majoring in public relations and also pursuing a sports media certificate within the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications. She is in her second year as a student assistant within the UGA Sports Communications office.
"Coming Attractions" is a weekly feature published on georgiadogs.com spotlighting a UGA student-athlete who will be competing in a key home event during the upcoming weekend. Previous stories from this year include:
August 27 -- Jasmine Eaton (volleyball in the Benson Hospitality Invitational)
September 3 -- Sydney Shultis (soccer vs. Clemson)
September 10 - Liliana Rios (soccer vs. South Carolina)
September 17 -- Isaiah McKenzie (football vs. South Carolina)
September 24 -- Mariel Gutierrez (soccer vs. Arkansas & Texas A&M)
October 1 - John Atkins (football vs. Alabama)
