Swimmers Anticipate Perennial Rivals

Author: Jack Donaldson

As the swimming season nears its start, both the men and women are gearing up for runs at the NESCAC crown, building off strong team chemistry and a crop of talented first-years to help them jump to the top of their respective fields. The women's team will need its young guns to help brush off the burden of hazing-related suspensions to all upperclass women for the first two meets of the season as they seek to challenge traditional foes Amherst and Williams for the league title.

The men's squad, which won the NESCAC championship two years ago, is looking eager to regain the top spot they lost to Williams and Amherst. Last year the team was grounded by senior leadership, but sorely lacked blue chip talent, particularly in diving. In fact, the team failed to put any divers in competition, dramatically hurting them in points. This year, with Tristam Arscott '06 coming back from injury, and new additions such as Rob Collier '07 and Tim Lux '07 contributing their swimming skills, the team is confident it can compete with pre-season favorite Williams. The team had a scrimmage against its rivals this past weekend, putting up strong numbers in both the 200 medley and the 200 breast stroke. Seniors like co-captains Matt Clark and Charlie Evans, as well as last year's breakout talent, relay sensation Scott Atkinson '06, will anchor the team's competitive hopes.

The women's team, finishing second in NESCAC competition last year to Williams, is also looking to win its conference. Williams is certainly the favorite, and is an imposing foe indeed. The Ephs have won 102 consecutive meets, a daunting number for the Panthers to try to top. But if one team has the talent and poise to unseat Williams, it is definitely the 2003-2004 Panthers, who are looking better than they have in several years. Returning standouts Sarah Groff '04, McKenna Moreau '06 and Molly Reed '06 have looked strong in the pre-season, and the first-year crop is equally promising as that of the men's squad. In particular, the spry Maegan Olivos '07, and steel-town native Barbara Van der Veer '07, who have already been proving themselves in races against the older women, are stand-outs.

Looming large over the women's early competition, however, is the suspension of all upperclassmen for the first two meets of the year. The suspension stems from a first-year initiation-related hazing incident that occurred last January. While the team and school have tried to keep the incident private, it was hard not to notice a certain tenseness in the team at the end of their season. After extensive deliberations with the administration, the squad accepted the consequences of the incident, which prohibit the upperclass swimmers from racing in last week's scrimmage and this week's Springfield/Wesleyan meet. The full team will be allowed to participate in the crucial Amherst meet on Dec. 6. "It's hard because it separates the team," said co-captain Kellianne Egan '04. "It's hard to deal with being a senior and not being able to swim in your first two meets." However, the team, which also had to attend a hazing seminar as part of its mandated penalty, has chosen to look at the suspensions in a positive light. "It could have had some negative repercussions, but it has made us closer and brought together older and younger swimmers," said Egan. The squad has made it clear to its younger players that last year's incident is in the past, and instead of lamenting the lack of upperclass leadership, the sophomores are taking the opportunity to lead through their performances in the pool. The new and less experienced rookies have a valuable chance to learn as much as they can of game-time execution and accomplishment.

Plus, since the older members of the team will join the young bloods before their first big meet of the season against Amherst, the loss will be relatively insignificant. Still, the women realize that there is some work to be done to rehabilitate their image. "There's definately a motivation to prove to ourselves and the school that we're a team so that they understand that we're very proud of our team and of what we can accomplish," said Egan.