Can you swim? Swim team hopes to overcome feeble numbers

by Catie Griffin

Thursday November 29, 2007

It is hard not to notice the numerous flyers around campus displaying the message “Can you swim? Then this could be you!” The swim team is coming up a little short on swimmers this year with approximately eleven signed up as opposed to the twenty-eight member team from last year. However, the new coach and former assistant coach, Casey Quinn, remains optimistic.

“Even though we have fewer swimmers, I’m confident that we’ll have a decent record,” Quinn said. “We’re also getting a few new first years that have previously been on swim teams.”

The main troubles for the team stem from abroad sophomores and a smaller showing in the “swim for fitness” class.

“We usually recruit from swim for fitness, but it’s a much smaller group this year,” Quinn admitted.

However, the new coach has a battle plan when it comes to this season. Using a strategy similar to the one established by the former head coach, Jennifer Walker, in her time at Sarah Lawrence, Quinn plans to build the endurance of the swimmers, starting off with a mere 2,850 yard workout and then eventually building it up to 4,000 yards over the course of the season.
Her goals for her swimmers this year are to “do well, have fun, and make the championships with a decent record.”

Former team members also show excitement for the season. Four year veteran and senior Tena Parker stated that swimming is a “rock-out, awesome team” and related that in past years, team chemistry has been very good “even though usually you have your face in the water and are unable to chit-chat.” Last season, team members got together on numerous occasions outside of the pool, and movie nights weren’t uncommon.

For the past three years, the team has remained undefeated in the championships and has broken numerous school records.

Although smaller, this year’s swim team looks to have a bright future.

The team will compete in five home meets along with one away meet this season. Their first meet of the season will be at the Campbell Sports Center pool on October 25 at 7 p.m. against the College of New Rochelle.