Melinda Page: Australian for swimmer

Melinda Page is a sophomore on the SIU women's swimming team. Page was born in Connecticut and moved to the Middle East before making a home in Australia. She recently took time after practice to speak to Christopher Morrical of the Daily Egyptian.

Daily Egyptian: What got you into swimming?

Melinda Page: I started swimming when I was 11. In primary school, elementary school for you guys, they needed some people to go on the swim team. I knew how to swim and I swam and I won a few races and went from there.

DE: How tired are you after a meet?

MP: Very tired. I was absolutely dead after Northwestern. It takes a lot out of you. Getting up multiple times and giving 100 percent kills you a little bit. It's very exhausting, but it's worthwhile.

DE: Is it harder on your legs or your arms?

MP: I'm predominantly a leg swimmer. My pull isn't so good. That's where I always feel it, in my legs, definitely.

DE: Out of all your events, do you have a favorite?

MP: I'm really liking my individual medley this year. My 200 free, I'm kind of liking that now. I'm getting used to it. I really like 100 back. That's one of my favorites.

DE: Why SIU?

MP: I never came on a recruiting trip or anything 'cause no one would fly me out from Australia. It's kind of expensive. Basically, it was how well I got along with Jeff on the phone. That's basically what we went on. I got the media guide and they looked like fast girls. It looked like a really good school.

DE: Enough about swimming. You were born in Connecticut then you moved to Australia?

MP: Yeah. My mom is American and she was born in Connecticut. She came home and had me and then I lived in the Middle East for a while until I was three, then I went back to Australia and grew up there.

DE: Where in the Middle East?

MP: We lived all over. Abu Dahbi. We moved around a lot. Predominantly in Abu Dahbi.

DE: Was that because of a military family?

MP: My dad is in irrigation and my mom worked for the American embassy.

DE: You have a pretty strong accent. How often are you asked about it?

MP: (Laughs.) I have a lot of problems with it. People don't understand what I'm saying. They'll just give me weird looks. Some are just totally freaked out. Some confuse me with an English accent, which is kind of strange.

DE: How does Australia compare with the United States?

MP: It's kind of the same in that we speak the same language. It's completely different in the lifestyle. I think we're more laid back. We just take it as it comes. You guys are like, "I've got to do this!" You're under the gun all the time. How we say stuff. When I first got here, it was really hard. I'd be saying something and people were like, "What are you saying?" They're like, "What does that mean?"

DE: What is an example of Australian slang?

MP: Everyone knows, "G'day, Mate." Some bush talk is like we call food "tucker."

DE: How does your hometown of Mount Barker compare to Carbondale?

MP: Mount Barker is a country town so you'd think they'd be the same. I just cracked up when I got here and I saw everyone and all the locals. It makes me laugh. You guys are all kind of hicks. Your southern accents are hysterical. My town at home is small. It's like 6,000 people. It's smaller than this. It's very different.

DE: Other than friends' houses, where do you like to hang out in Carbondale?

MP: I go shopping a bit. I go to Wal-Mart every week. That's pretty exciting. (Laughs.) I just like hanging out and chilling in my room when I get free time.

DE: Do you have a sports idol?

MP: I guess I'd have to say Thorpey. Ian Thorpe. He's a bit of a legend. I like a few other Australians, but no one has ever heard of them. (Laughs.)

DE: Have you chosen a major yet?

MP: No. I'm undecided. I'm leaning toward physiology, but I'm still not really sure.

DE: Now I have some silly questions that shouldn't be taken seriously at all. Who would win a fight? Crocodile Hunter or Crocodile Dundee?

MP: Crocodile Hunter. He's insane. He's crazy.

DE: Is Foster's Australian for beer?

MP: Oh my God! You would not believe. Every time I meet somebody, that is the question. No. We don't drink the stuff. Australia has so many great beers. It is the worst ever. I couldn't believe that's what we were known for. I almost died. (Laughs.) It's awful. (Laughs.)

DE: Have you ever been to the outback?

MP: Yeah. When I was little, my aunt came out from the states and we went out there. It's funny. The people were funny. It's pretty barren. There are animals and bush people running around. It's real rugged. It's a great place.

DE:Have people ever come up to you using a fake Australian accent and said that a dingo has eaten their baby?

MP: (Laughs.) Yes! It always makes me laugh whenever people try and imitate me. I swear I don't talk like that. Maybe I do. I don't know. (Laughs.)

DE: Short answer questions. What is your favorite TV show?

MP: It would have to be "Friends" and "Seinfeld."

DE: Who are your favorite characters?

MP: Joey. He's hilarious. Kramer.

DE: Favorite movie?

MP: "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective."

DE: Favorite magazine.

MP: Cosmo.

Reporter Christopher Morrical can be reached at cmorrical@dailyegyptian.com