Last year, only eight swimmers took to the pool, just barely enough to make up a team. This year, however, the team is comprised of 17 swimmers, nine of which are freshman.
The team’s great promise has already been realized as two freshmen have broken records during the meet against Franklin and Marshall on Friday, November 6. Zoe Guastella went into the record books as fifth all-time and seventh all-time swimmer during the college’s history in the 200 IM (2:20.45) and 100 breaststroke (1:16.09) respectively. Meredith Davis achieved fifth all-time and seventh all-time statuses in the 100-yard freestyle and 50-yard freestyle.
Even still, Whitlock hesitated to single out particular swimmers. She recognized the strength of the entire team. The addition of so many fresh faces seemed to bolster the outlook of the team. “There is a different attitude this season,” said Whitlock.
Senior co-captain Cea Weaver agreed. “[Having these new members] is going to help us become much more competitive in conference!” she said. “Just last Sunday [November 1], in our first meet, we scored twice as many points against this same team [Washington College] as we did last year, and we came in first and second in the 200 IM against a Conference team. This is very exciting.”
Weaver also looked to the Arcadia/Cabrini meet as one to look forward to. She said, “We’ve been chasing Cabrini for the past three years, and I think we have a great chance of beating them!”
Whitlock sees this as a challenge for the team that she knows the swimmers can handle. “It will take a lot of focus and determination since the practices will be out of whack,” she said. Soon, the team will endure night practices on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, along with early morning practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at the Baldwin School, who is “graciously lending us their pool,” Whitlock said.
Bonding together as a team is an important aspect that Weaver looks forward to this team. Practices are geared toward the individual and relay events, so they are not as team-orientated as practices for other sports teams.
“Because of how the sport is, we spend a lot of time with our heads in the water, not talking to each other, looking at the bottom of the pool,” she said. “I think the biggest thing we need to work on as a team, and as captains, is getting this big group of girls together as a social group as well as a competitive one.”
The team would not be who they are without Whitlock, too. A strong-willed, committed coach, she certainly looks out for her team. Said Weaver, “There’s been a running joke on the team for a few years now that Coach Nikki is actually Mama Nikki - she feeds us dinner after practice, is always there for an encouraging (or scolding) word, or a treat.”
Ultimately, the Bryn Mawr swim team is one that will stay on the radar this season. Great talent, fresh faces, and dedication to the pool will surely generate a productive season for the Owls.
This article is © 2008 The Bi-College News. The material on this page is free for personal or educational use, but may not be reproduced, reprinted, republished, redistributed, or otherwise transmitted to a third party without the express written permission of The Bi-College News, 370 Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041.
Editor's note: Articles that appear in the Last Word section are works of satire.
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