2002-2003 Women's Swimming and Diving Outlook

09/01/00

- Determination, perseverance and excitement characterize the atmosphere surrounding the William and Mary women’s swimming and diving program for the upcoming 2002-03 season. The women’s squad aims to not only improve its final ranking at the Colonial Athletic Association Championships, but to take top honors and improve its dual meet record. Building upon the accomplishments of last season, which included a third-place finish at the CAA Championship meet, one individual and one relay finishing first at CAAs, an NCAA B qualifying time, and two top-15 finishes at U.S. Nationals, the women’s goal is definitely within reach.

Gregg Sarbak, who returns for his third year with the Tribe, but his first as the Director of Swimming and Diving, hopes to lead the team to new levels. Sarbak will be aided by assistant swim coach Samantha Smith and diving coach Dr. Robert McNamee. With their knowledge of swimming and diving, complementary coaching styles and experience as competitors, the trio looks to be a promising combination for success. Counting on some of the team’s top swimmers and divers as well as its solid depth, the Tribe has the potential to rise to a new level.

The team will look to senior co-captains Liz Koch, Maxey McNeese, Ruth Anne Miller and Aly Woodward for leadership both in and out of the pool. The most valuable swimmer of the 2001-02 season, Miller holds three individual records, appears in the all-time top-10 records in seven events, took second in three events at the conference championships, achieved an NCAA B qualifying time, and hopes to continue to improve in her final season with the Tribe. Conference champion Koch, who holds the team record in the 100 butterfly and took top honors in that same event at CAAs, has drastically improved each year with the squad and will continue to be a major contributor in the butterfly events and medley relays. McNeese, with her strong leadership skills and inspiring work ethic, will contribute throughout the year, adding depth in the breaststroke events. Woodward will lead the Tribe divers, hoping to build upon their crucial contributions during dual meets and solid scoring during conferences. Most valuable diver Carrie Gerloff will come into her sophomore campaign with more experience under her belt and will look for even greater accomplishments.

With a similar schedule for the 2002-03 season, Tribe swimmers and divers should be able to continue to build upon their previous successful season. The addition of several freshmen, who are expected to make an immediate impact on the team, to the already solid senior, junior and sophomore classes makes the goal to win more dual meets and to take the conference championship understandably attainable. The following is a stroke-by-stroke breakdown of the 2002-03 women’s swimming and diving program:
Freestyle

With a relatively young group of freestylers, the Tribe hopes for strong seasons from junior Cicely Wolters and sophomore Alyssa Roberts, who gained valuable experience last season in the sprint events. Additionally, several newcomers to the program are expected to make an impact. Sophomore Kirsten Kramer, who was forced to sit out last season due to injury, should put in a good showing and challenge her teammates for the top spots on the team in the sprint events if healthy. Freshmen Kristi Borkowski and Katie Doggett bring in much talent and speed to the freestyle events, as both are expected to make an immediate impact in the conference.

Distance freestyle, which has been one of the Tribe’s weaknesses in the past few seasons, looks to make major improvements this year with the addition of three distance freestylers in the freshman class. Paige Capro, Erin Clark, Alexis Skelos, and Lindsay Young, all newcomers to the squad, are expected to improve in their first year of training with a collegiate program and score points in the distance events. Additionally, the Tribe may call upon Miller, who can be counted on to put in a good showing in nearly every event.

Junior Katie Hiles will lead the Tribe backstrokers. After successful freshman and sophomore campaigns, Hiles, the school’s second-fastest all-time in both backstroke events, will look to continue to improve. She is expected to be a great threat for opponents of the Tribe, especially with her work ethic, dedication and determination.

Sophomore Katie Descenza exploded onto the scene last year and will be a major point scorer in both backstroke events. Doggett should make an immediate impact for the Tribe as well as Kramer and freshman Alexa Whittaker. Also look to freshman Elizabeth Harman to show improvements and add depth to the backstroke events.

Koch looks to continue to be the team’s most powerful butterflyer. After breaking the school record and winning the 100 butterfly at CAAs last season, Koch is nearly unstoppable, as she has improved with each season. Her 200 butterfly has also shown great progress in her previous three years, most recently accumulating six first-place finishes in the butterfly events throughout last year’s dual meet season.

Sophomores Lindsay Riddell and Robyn Kondrad will add depth to the butterfly events, and freshmen Michelle Calanog is expected to contribute immediately.

Miller, who holds the school record in the 200 breaststroke and is only a half-second off of the school record in the 100 breaststroke, added an incredible 2001-02 season to her already impressive resumé. She finished second at CAAs in the 200 breaststroke, achieving an NCAA B qualifying time and earning a swim in the 100 and 200 breaststroke at U.S. Nationals, finishing 10th and 13th, respectively. As one of the most versatile swimmers in the conference, her talent as a breaststroker will lead the deep breaststroke contingent.

McNeese hopes to continue her strong collegiate showing. Her work ethic will no doubt lead to her most successful collegiate year yet, as the co-captain looks to score points at CAAs and achieve new personal bests. Freshman Bryanne Matthews is expected to make an immediate impact and challenge the top breaststrokers in the conference. Sophomores Elizabeth Barrett, Kondrad and Jessica Smotrel and freshman Capro will also add depth to the events.

In addition to her breaststroke record, Miller also holds school records in the 200 and 400 IM. The well-rounded Miller can be a top-scorer in nearly every event. She was the conference champion her freshman year in the 200 IM and has placed no worse than third in any IM event at the conference championship meet in her entire career. Miller will look to continue improving while she maintains her strong presence in the individual medley events.

Also look to sophomore Barrett and freshmen Capro, Clark, Matthews, and Whittaker to contribute in the IM events.

Returning divers Woodward, junior Meg Patterson and Gerloff, the Tribe’s Most Valuable Diver of the 2001-02 season, are expected to exhibit their talent and experience throughout the year. With solid diving throughout last season, the Tribe’s trio will look to further improve. The addition of newcomers Laura Hodulik and Yukari Nakamura should make certain that Tribe divers will be strong and solid.