True Colors: Mao has made himself at home in Madison

MADISON, Wis. – Badger red means more to Wisconsin sophomore MJ Mao than what meets the eye.

Emblazoned on his UW swim cap, red represents not only where Mao is now, but how far he has come.

'The summers in Shanghai are really hot and humid'

Born to parents Hongxiang Mao and Chunhong Gong and raised in Shanghai, China, Mao began swimming when he was just 6 years old.

For Mao, childhood laps in the pool were not initially for leisure. They were for relief.

During Shanghai's zenith summer months, a 90-degree day with 90 percent humidity isn't an outlier. It's another Tuesday.

"The summers in Shanghai are really humid and hot," Mao said. "So my parents signed me up for swim camp."

From then on, Mao says swimming became less a sidestep of Shanghai's heat and more a passion.

He realized he liked the sport – a lot.

And years later, Mao's penchant for swimming became increasingly serviceable by way of his new home – the Hawaiian island of O'ahu.

There, Mao proved to be an unmistakable force in Hawaii swimming circles.

Two state records, four high school state championships and a Swimmer of the Year nod later, Mao became the No. 1-ranked recruit out of Hawaii and No. 20-ranked men's recruit in the class of 2017.

So when it came time for Mao to decide where he wanted to swim collegiately, many programs were crossing their fingers.

'I thought coming to Madison would challenge myself to go a little out of my comfort zone'

Mao eventually decided to go from the island to the isthmus, making Madison his home.

When asked why he chose UW, Mao does not oscillate.

"The reason I chose Wisconsin is for sure its academics," he said. "I knew that Madison would prepare me well with its rich academic knowledge and eye-opening opportunities - not only for the four years of my studies here, but for the time beyond.

Academics notwithstanding, Mao also realized a chance to test the allure of comfort.

"I thought coming to Madison would challenge myself to go a little out of my comfort zone," Mao said.

After experiencing the hustle and bustle of Shanghai and the calm and quiet of Hawaii, Mao saw Madison as the perfect happy medium.

"Coming from a bustling city in Shanghai and the tiny island of O'ahu, I felt Madison offered just enough of the big-city feel without the crowds," Mao said. "And the lakes around campus were a good substitute for the ocean."

And the cherry on top? Mao would sport the color of home – red.

In Chinese culture, red is not emblematic of caution, as it is conventionally understood.

Red is symbolic of the sun à la fire and life, and synonymous with warmth and vitality.

"Red means energy and positivity in Chinese culture," Mao said. "It is also my favorite and luckiest color."

'I want to enjoy every moment, learn as much as I can and swim as fast as I can'

In his short time at UW, Mao's name is already etched across the Badgers' top times list.

He currently holds three individual top-10 all-time marks in the 100-yard breaststroke (53.26), 200 breast (1:55.14) and 100 butterfly (46.95).

But his favorite event? None of the above.

"My favorite event is definitely the 200 medley relay," Mao said. "It's exciting to work together with my teammates, knowing that the race is not only about myself but really a true team effort."

Mao hopes to raise the bar he set during his freshman campaign, which included an 11th-place finish in the 100 breast final (53.29), a 16th in the 200 breast final (1:59.69) and two top-eight relay showings at the Big Ten championships.

"My primary goal this season is to be a Big Ten A-finalist and NCAA qualifier," he said.

Then again, Mao isn't interested in getting ahead of himself. He wants to soak in the present.

"I want to enjoy every moment, learn as much as I can and swim as fast as I can," Mao said.

Outside the pool, Mao spends his free time diving through his music library.

He also fancies football and, in the offseason, pick-up basketball keeps him in shape.

On Jan. 4, the Wisconsin swimming and diving team will gather for its annual meet against Hawaii on O'ahu.

Donned in Badger red and home again, expect little caution from Mao.

Only energy and positivity.

University of Wisconsin Athletics

True Colors: Mao has made himself at home in Madison

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