2008 Woodie Awards
New coach sets winning philosophy to swim team in '05
By David Duke
Issue date: 11/11/05 Section: Sports Extra
Dedication is the key word both head coach Jim Yeamans and graduate assistant Nathan Walters used to describe their batch of men's and women's swimmers for the upcoming 2005-2006 season.
"The team as a whole went through a coaching change and some people were upset about it and left the team, but the people that stayed have showed a lot of heart and determination since the season started," Walters said.
Following the resignation of former Rock swimming coach Andrew Waeger, multiple swimmers left the team. But the ones who have stuck with it have really impressed both coaches.
"The people that have stayed with the team have really exceeded any expectations I had for them," Walters said.
The men's team, totaling eight in all, saw the roster drop eleven members from last year's team. Leading the way are co-captions, senior Troy Kroll, and junior Bradley Bowers.
Walters said freshman Scott Taylor has already made quite an impression on the team.
"Scott already has a lot of the team looking up to him," Walters said.
Kroll, a freestyle sprinter, Bowers, a breaststroker, and freshman newcomer Taylor have all earned impressive starts to the season. Bowers and Taylor already qualified for the PSAC championships at the end of the year.
"Our goal is to get all our swimmers in the PSAC championships and see where things go from there," Walters said. "Two guys and three girls have already made it through three meets, and basically everyone else is on the bubble."
With only an eight member squad this season, both Yeamans and Walters agreed a team championship isn't a feasible goal for the season, but both see success at the PSAC championships in the future.
As for the women's team, numbers really aren't an issue. There have been 20 girls come out to swim this season. Co-captains Jen Zuzack, Jessica Student, and Beth Chorky lead a squad that Walters feels can compete in a very tough league.
"I think we can get out there and compete with powerhouses like West Chester, Clarion, and IUP," Walters said. "We just need to keep improving."
"The team as a whole went through a coaching change and some people were upset about it and left the team, but the people that stayed have showed a lot of heart and determination since the season started," Walters said.
Following the resignation of former Rock swimming coach Andrew Waeger, multiple swimmers left the team. But the ones who have stuck with it have really impressed both coaches.
"The people that have stayed with the team have really exceeded any expectations I had for them," Walters said.
The men's team, totaling eight in all, saw the roster drop eleven members from last year's team. Leading the way are co-captions, senior Troy Kroll, and junior Bradley Bowers.
Walters said freshman Scott Taylor has already made quite an impression on the team.
"Scott already has a lot of the team looking up to him," Walters said.
Kroll, a freestyle sprinter, Bowers, a breaststroker, and freshman newcomer Taylor have all earned impressive starts to the season. Bowers and Taylor already qualified for the PSAC championships at the end of the year.
"Our goal is to get all our swimmers in the PSAC championships and see where things go from there," Walters said. "Two guys and three girls have already made it through three meets, and basically everyone else is on the bubble."
With only an eight member squad this season, both Yeamans and Walters agreed a team championship isn't a feasible goal for the season, but both see success at the PSAC championships in the future.
As for the women's team, numbers really aren't an issue. There have been 20 girls come out to swim this season. Co-captains Jen Zuzack, Jessica Student, and Beth Chorky lead a squad that Walters feels can compete in a very tough league.
"I think we can get out there and compete with powerhouses like West Chester, Clarion, and IUP," Walters said. "We just need to keep improving."
