Day one at the national meet

- Lindsay McReynolds

INDIANAPOLIS - Today was the first day of the meet we have been training for all year.

It is here at the NCAA Div. II National Championships, where goals can be achieved and dreams can come true. The back of our team shirts this year say Res Firma Mitescere Nescit, which means a firm resolve does not know how to weaken.

Going into this national championship meet, there is a lot of pressure - pressure to win a sixth national championship.

After the first day of competition, we have set ourselves to do exactly that.

“I am very pleased with where we are standing, we are swimming very well,” head coach Mark Gole said.

By no means, however, does this mean that we can back down now. Every swim, every place and every second counts. All that matters now is the team and what will help the team.

Today was an amazing day for our team. We started off great in the 1000, with five girls scoring in the top 16. Sophomore Whitney Wodstrchill placed fourth in the 1000 freestyle, an event which she doesn’t even normally swim. It was a great way to start off the meet. Senior Katie Funk placed 6th, Sophomore Molly Pollette 8th and first-time scorers Freshmen Jacqui Dempsey 14th and Jessie Lemaster 11th.

This was a great event for us not only because we had so many scorers, but because in the past our main rival Drury has gained a lot of points in this event. This year that was not the case.

In the 200 IM Junior Lija Kaleps-Clark had a great swim, coming in second place. It definitely got us all really excited about all the good things that were sure to come from her throughout the meet.

Brittany Anderson and her sister Erika also made a great contribution in the IM, helping to score much-needed points in the consolation finals. Sophomore Laura Harp also had a great race.

The 50 free was also an exciting race. Whitney Jensen placed third with a lifetime best. It was a great swim and really got everyone excited for the relay that was next. Emily Pufall also swam an outstanding race, placing 11th in the consolation heat.

The relay was perhaps the most exciting event of all, however.

The 4X200 medley with sophomore Emily Greenwood, junior Bridget Brunsman, Harp and Jensen took home our first first-place trophy for the meet. Not only was this a great win for us, but it led to a great afor us as a team, especially as Drury who had placed second to us in the relay, was later announced as having false started.

In a meet where every point counts, this disqualification gave us an even greater lead over them. After the first day of competition, we are in first place with 145 points. Second is UC San Diego with 123 points. This is the first time in two years that we have led in the team standings after the first day, and it is really exciting.

The mens team also swam well today. The Bulldog men placed no one in finals in the 50 free, while they did have a good showing, it was more so due to the fast field of swimmers in the event. Senior Josh Otis placed sixth in the 200 IM, having a great swim just off his personal best time. The mens relay consisting of junior Robert Fletcher, Otis, senior Chris Brammer and sophomore Ryan Ferrell placed eighth in their 4X200 medley.

A great addition to the meet from last year is the exciting addition of an athlete’s lounge on deck. With internet access, pizza and other yummy foods, it makes for a great place to converse with other swimmers and grab a quick drink or bite to eat. However, as Bulldogs our key concern is for our swimmers in the water, so we don't spend too much time in there.

I am proud to say that we are the best cheerers on deck. No one gets behind their teammates like we do, and although today is just the first day of competition, already I have a sore throat from cheering so loudly.


-Note- Swim team member and Index advertising manager Lindsay McReynolds is with the team at the national championship meet in Indianpolis. She will be posting periodically throughout the four-day event with insider insights.