Swimming and Diving: Tigers wrap up strong regular season at home
By: Matt Coffin
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: Sports
The men's swimming and diving team has put up some impressive numbers so far this season. The team has posted a 5-2 record, while finishing first in the DePauw Invitational and no worse than third in any other invitational. The Tigers currently find themselves ranked No. 7 among NCAA Div. III schools and look to continue their strong performance in their final two meets.
As the Tigers look ahead to the postseason, they've got a lot to be proud of. Senior swimmers John Cook, Steve Klabak, and Charlie Boehme, to name a few, have been consistent contributors to the Tigers' quality performances. The seniors are not the only reason for the teams' success, though. From junior swimmer Josh Baugh and diver Patrick Swinger, sophomore swimmers John Montgomery and Brogan Runion, or freshman Matt Kukurugya and Robby Spichiger, the Tigers have been getting help from across the board.
"The underclassmen have truly stepped up this season to become great contributors," said junior Josh Baugh. "Guys like Matt Kukurugya, Robby Spichiger and Dylan Klossner have shown a great deal of leadership in the water this year and underlie a great deal of potential that we have in the future of remaining a top tier team."
With the help of the underclassmen, the team has been able to reach many of its preseason goals. With the postseason just around the corner, the Tiger's have big hopes in sight.
"So far, this season has gone extremely well for us as a team, and we are in a great position going into conference and nationals," Baugh said.
The team feels confident as they look forward to their next challenge. Coming off of a close loss to University of Chicago at the end of Winter Term, the team has fuel to feed the fire and looks to finish strong going into the postseason.
"Well, not to be cocky, but we've won conference for the past several years and we're probably going win it again," said freshman Nate Smith. "John Cook and the seniors are leading one of, if not the best, team in DePauw swimming history."
The women's team will also look to rebound after a tough loss, 186-113, to No. 13 Chicago. The loss came after placing first at the Washington University- St. Louis Invitational, as well as victories over Illinois Wesleyan and Franklin College.
The loss also caused the Tigers to lose their top 25 ranking. However, with their confidence and energy high, they hope to get back into the top 25 tonight at 6 p.m. as they take on Butler and IUPUI at Erdmann Natatorium.
As the Tigers look ahead to the postseason, they've got a lot to be proud of. Senior swimmers John Cook, Steve Klabak, and Charlie Boehme, to name a few, have been consistent contributors to the Tigers' quality performances. The seniors are not the only reason for the teams' success, though. From junior swimmer Josh Baugh and diver Patrick Swinger, sophomore swimmers John Montgomery and Brogan Runion, or freshman Matt Kukurugya and Robby Spichiger, the Tigers have been getting help from across the board.
"The underclassmen have truly stepped up this season to become great contributors," said junior Josh Baugh. "Guys like Matt Kukurugya, Robby Spichiger and Dylan Klossner have shown a great deal of leadership in the water this year and underlie a great deal of potential that we have in the future of remaining a top tier team."
With the help of the underclassmen, the team has been able to reach many of its preseason goals. With the postseason just around the corner, the Tiger's have big hopes in sight.
"So far, this season has gone extremely well for us as a team, and we are in a great position going into conference and nationals," Baugh said.
The team feels confident as they look forward to their next challenge. Coming off of a close loss to University of Chicago at the end of Winter Term, the team has fuel to feed the fire and looks to finish strong going into the postseason.
"Well, not to be cocky, but we've won conference for the past several years and we're probably going win it again," said freshman Nate Smith. "John Cook and the seniors are leading one of, if not the best, team in DePauw swimming history."
The women's team will also look to rebound after a tough loss, 186-113, to No. 13 Chicago. The loss came after placing first at the Washington University- St. Louis Invitational, as well as victories over Illinois Wesleyan and Franklin College.
The loss also caused the Tigers to lose their top 25 ranking. However, with their confidence and energy high, they hope to get back into the top 25 tonight at 6 p.m. as they take on Butler and IUPUI at Erdmann Natatorium.
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