First, the gift, then the effort

The Kingston native was named swimmer of the week in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and was well on her way to a sparkling first season at Loyola.

And this coming season, as a sophomore, she has been invited to train with Olympic coach Bob Bowman alongside 14-time gold medalist Michael Phelps.

“When I was younger, I did swimming lessons and I hated it,’’ said Cronin, who grew up swimming at the Percy Walker Pool in Duxbury. “I took a year off and I played soccer. I came back because I missed swimming, and that’s when I decided to start swimming competitively,’’ at age 12.

Cronin swam for Kingfish Swimming, a club program based in Duxbury, and at Notre Dame in Hingham, where she won 12 Division 2 state titles, including four crowns in the 100-yard freestyle.

Kingfish coach Jay Craft calls Cronin a worker.

“She’s got the drive, the mental toughness, and the technique,’’ he said. “I wouldn’t want to race against her. Swimming is a different sport. The amount of effort you’re going to put in is what you’re going to get out. Caitlin puts in the effort all around.’’

He said that he encourages his swimmers to keep in touch. “Caitlin likes to learn,’’ said Craft, who also coaches at Duxbury High. “She likes to share some of her experiences. If there’s a piece of advice I can give her I would. Just having someone on the other end back at home that understand the sport is good.’’

Cronin said swimming at the collegiate level is all about “team.’’

“High school is more individual,’’ she said. “In college it comes down to relays. Every swim matters, everyone plays a role,’’ she said.

With her Loyola team, Cronin practiced in the morning and afternoon, unlike high school, where she swam only after school.

The training is more intense, including more time in the weight room.

Coach Brian Loeffler said Cronin had a great freshman year. “She was the team MVP,’’ he said. “She swam anchor a lot for the relays. I’m expecting a good sophomore year from her.’’