2008 Woodie Awards
Aqua Tars Hold High Expecations for 2007-2008
Daniel Paulling
Issue date: 10/8/07 Section: Sports
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The Rollins College men's and women's swimming teams placed second at the Sunshine State Conference championship meet last year. Don't be surprised if head coach Richard Morris is looking more toward this season than remembering the last one.
"This is the strongest freshman class the men's team has ever seen," Morris said. "We should build on our national ranking of 24th from last season."
The quality of the incoming class is unquestioned, but the quantity has given the team depth it has never experienced. The men's team lost Trevor Hughes, Ish DeSaram, and Paul Wahbe to graduation, but the eight incoming freshman gives the team a total of 15, the largest ever.
Headlining the newcomers is distance swimmer Kamel Tejeda. A resident of the Dominican Republic, Tejeda has competed in and won several openwater swim around the United States. He is joined by Floridians Jimmy Colston (breaststroke), Paul Hoffman (distance freestyle), and Billy Shugart (sprint freestyle).
Returning are seven members from last season's team. Sophomore Jackson Nicholson, the 2006-7 MVP, returns to his familiar spot as a middle distance freestyler, while junior Jeff Mueller, who holds multiple team records, continues his role as a workhorse. Junior Tom Alexander should solidify an already strong sprinting corps.
"With the incoming first year swimmers aiding an already stellar team, sending a relay to nationals is a goal in sight," said men's team captain and junior Carson Nicely.
The women's team graduated eight members from last year's runner-up finish to the University of Tampa, but is only adding four. That leaves the team with a total of 14.
"We got some great new swimmers for the women's team," Morris said. "But we will be struggling a little as we graduated 8 swimmers and have two abroad this semester."
The incoming first-years are led by distance swimmer Allyson Best, who figures to replace 500 yard freestyle record holder Andrea Bartman, who graduated. Transfer Kelly Cuddihy and freshman Stephanie Posner solidify the breaststroke, while freshman Kelsey Broadmeadow swims backstroke.
Ten upperclassmen are returning. Last season's MVP and butterflyer, Corie Kelly, is abroad this semester, but sophomore Meghan Mattingly and senior Brighton Springer should contribute in that stroke. Lauren Griesser and Tayler Marx, two sophomores, figure strongly into the team's sprints and relay events.
"We are looking forward to our first meet against Florida Southern," said women's team captain and junior Kylene Dey. "The rivalry between our two teams has been the main force of motivation behind our preseason
training.
"I think I speak for all the women's team when I say I can't wait to beat them in their own pool."
Morris believes great things are in store for his teams. "We just need to stay strong through the fall and then we should have a successful second half after the Holidays," said Morris.
"This is the strongest freshman class the men's team has ever seen," Morris said. "We should build on our national ranking of 24th from last season."
The quality of the incoming class is unquestioned, but the quantity has given the team depth it has never experienced. The men's team lost Trevor Hughes, Ish DeSaram, and Paul Wahbe to graduation, but the eight incoming freshman gives the team a total of 15, the largest ever.
Headlining the newcomers is distance swimmer Kamel Tejeda. A resident of the Dominican Republic, Tejeda has competed in and won several openwater swim around the United States. He is joined by Floridians Jimmy Colston (breaststroke), Paul Hoffman (distance freestyle), and Billy Shugart (sprint freestyle).
Returning are seven members from last season's team. Sophomore Jackson Nicholson, the 2006-7 MVP, returns to his familiar spot as a middle distance freestyler, while junior Jeff Mueller, who holds multiple team records, continues his role as a workhorse. Junior Tom Alexander should solidify an already strong sprinting corps.
"With the incoming first year swimmers aiding an already stellar team, sending a relay to nationals is a goal in sight," said men's team captain and junior Carson Nicely.
The women's team graduated eight members from last year's runner-up finish to the University of Tampa, but is only adding four. That leaves the team with a total of 14.
"We got some great new swimmers for the women's team," Morris said. "But we will be struggling a little as we graduated 8 swimmers and have two abroad this semester."
The incoming first-years are led by distance swimmer Allyson Best, who figures to replace 500 yard freestyle record holder Andrea Bartman, who graduated. Transfer Kelly Cuddihy and freshman Stephanie Posner solidify the breaststroke, while freshman Kelsey Broadmeadow swims backstroke.
Ten upperclassmen are returning. Last season's MVP and butterflyer, Corie Kelly, is abroad this semester, but sophomore Meghan Mattingly and senior Brighton Springer should contribute in that stroke. Lauren Griesser and Tayler Marx, two sophomores, figure strongly into the team's sprints and relay events.
"We are looking forward to our first meet against Florida Southern," said women's team captain and junior Kylene Dey. "The rivalry between our two teams has been the main force of motivation behind our preseason
training.
"I think I speak for all the women's team when I say I can't wait to beat them in their own pool."
Morris believes great things are in store for his teams. "We just need to stay strong through the fall and then we should have a successful second half after the Holidays," said Morris.
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