Maddie Dando called it indecision.

But maybe it was really just the type of elaborate preparation and attention to detail that has made the Marian senior such an accomplished student-athlete.

Dando has left no stone unturned in her quest for success both in the pool and in the classroom.

She took the same deliberate approach in deciding where she would continue her swimming career.

In the end, the choice was obvious.

Dando recently announced that she would be furthering her academic and swimming careers at Saint Francis University.

Not only does the school offer Dando a chance to compete at the Division 1 level, it also allows her to pursue another passion and study to become a physician assistant.

Those factors combined to make Saint Francis the perfect fit.

“Once Saint Francis got on the list, and I went out and visited, I knew that’s where I was meant to be,” she said. “I considered other places, but I was always drawn back to Saint Francis. People always say they have a feeling when they know what college they’re going to go to, and I never really thought that was actually true because I’m a really indecisive person.

“But I understand that feeling completely now. It felt like home, and I know that’s where I’m meant to be. I’m so grateful I get to go to an amazing college like that and continue swimming.”

Dando started the process during quarantine in March and April and took a visit to the school in August.

“She’s been proactive with all of this,” said Tim Dando, her father and Marian’s swim coach. “I’m just so proud of her. She’s so mature in the way she handled everything, and she keeps a positive attitude and says, ‘It is what it is, I just have to keep moving forward and do what I can do.’”

She’s certainly done a lot in the pool in her time competing as an independent swimmer for Marian.

Dando dropped her time in the 100-backstroke to 59.06 - under the national qualifying threshold - en route to her third District 11 title in the event last season.

After swimming to her third district crown by a second-and-a-half, Dando looked primed for her best showing yet as the 13th seed in the 100 back at states.

That opportunity never came.

Dando was one of the countless athletes affected by the coronavirus outbreak after the PIAA shut down the Class 2A Swimming and Diving Championships in March, prematurely ending her season.

“My last meet of the winter season was my YMCA districts, and I will remember that meet for the rest of my life because it taught me to not take any meet for granted,” she said. “I was at that meet and had already qualified for nationals, so I was looking forward to that and states the following week because I had a good shot at a medal and I took everything that was in front of me for granted.

“It was my last swim of my junior year and my last meet with other people in the same room for who knows how long. That taught me that every swim matters because you never know when it could be your last, and that you need to put your heart and soul into every race.”

To prepare for this season, Dando had been traveling to Bloomsburg’s YMCA after school and to SPEED in Leesport each Sunday, in addition to weight training. She also participated in cross-country for the first time during the fall.

In addition to her district title in the 100 back and runner-up finish in the 200 IM, she also placed first in the 100 and 50 backstroke events at the Schuylkill League meet.

Dando’s time in the 100 back at districts a year ago was well under her winning time of 59.47 her sophomore year, when she won by a full two seconds.

Her hard work has also paid off in the classroom. Maddie was awarded the Founder’s Scholarship, the Franciscan Scholarship and a Women’s Swimming Scholarship.

Even in her moments of doubt and in times of uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Dando’s will and work ethic have laid the foundation for future success.

This year and beyond.

“I set goal times at the beginning of each year, and I post them in my room on my Post-it Notes,” she said. “And if I ever don’t want to go to practice, I look at the times I want and tell myself, ‘If you want those times, you have to go to practice.’

“You have to put the work in.”

It’s obvious Dando has - and there’s no doubt about that.