2008 Woodie Awards
Swimming hits stride on senior night
By David Duke
Rocket Contributor
Issue date: 2/3/06 Section: Sports
Prior to fighting through what has proved to be one of the most tumultuous weeks in Slippery Rock University swimming history, both the men's and women's teams pulled out victories last Friday and Saturday in two separate dual meets.
Friday was the Rock's senior night. Both the men's and women's teams were able to pull out hard fought victories against Wheeling Jesuit.
The women cruised to a 123-43 victory. The Rock was led by Megan Jo Ramage, Heather Walbright and Jen Zuzack. Each claimed a pair of wins in the meet. Ramage won both the 400-yard individual medley (4:55.37) and the 200-yard breaststroke (2:35.8), while Walbright conquered the 200-yard freestyle (2:02.1) and the 500-yard freestyle (5:30.9). Zuzack took the 50-yard freestyle (25.4) and 200-yard backstroke (2:12.1).
For the men, Bradley Bowers captured the 200-yard breaststroke (2:20.6), Zach Liddle won the 200-yard backstroke (2:11.2) and Kevin Maksinchuk grabbed the 50-yard freestyle (23.6).
On Saturday the team took its show on the road to Fairmont State University. The result was more of the same for the ladies. The team posted a 120-56 victory.
Ramage continued her dominance in the pool with three individual victories in the 200- yard freestyle (2:04.02), 100-yard fly (106.43) and 100-yard breaststroke (1:12.75). Also for the Rock, Zuzack took home a pair of victories in the 200-yard individual medley (2:15.27) and the 100-yard freestyle (55.24). Other wins for the women included Walbright in the 1,000-yard freestyle (11:22.76), Stacey Henry in the 500-yard freestyle (5:49.05) and Betsy Wilson with her victory in the 100 yard backstroke (1:06.11).
Unfortunately, the men couldn't make it a perfect weekend for the Rock as they fell to Fairmont 108-77. Leading the way for the men was Bowers, who captured the lone Rock victory on the men's side in the 100-yard breaststroke.
Rock swimming coach Jim Yeamans said he was impressed with his team's performance over the weekend despite all the outside interference.
"We had a lot of good individual performances, but this past week has been an emotional rollercoaster for some of them," Yeamans said. "I think it could be affecting their performances."
Yeamans said he has been resting some of the swimmers who are close to qualifying.
"We have been tapering and resting some of them for the final couple meets," Yeaman's said. "The kids are kind of tired, but they are working hard and that's all we can ask."
The coach said the recent news of the elimination of the swimming program has made things more difficult on his team.
"It's certainly not making things any easier," Yeamans said. "It's heartbreaking for the athletes and the university and I'm just greatly saddened by the news."
Friday was the Rock's senior night. Both the men's and women's teams were able to pull out hard fought victories against Wheeling Jesuit.
The women cruised to a 123-43 victory. The Rock was led by Megan Jo Ramage, Heather Walbright and Jen Zuzack. Each claimed a pair of wins in the meet. Ramage won both the 400-yard individual medley (4:55.37) and the 200-yard breaststroke (2:35.8), while Walbright conquered the 200-yard freestyle (2:02.1) and the 500-yard freestyle (5:30.9). Zuzack took the 50-yard freestyle (25.4) and 200-yard backstroke (2:12.1).
For the men, Bradley Bowers captured the 200-yard breaststroke (2:20.6), Zach Liddle won the 200-yard backstroke (2:11.2) and Kevin Maksinchuk grabbed the 50-yard freestyle (23.6).
On Saturday the team took its show on the road to Fairmont State University. The result was more of the same for the ladies. The team posted a 120-56 victory.
Ramage continued her dominance in the pool with three individual victories in the 200- yard freestyle (2:04.02), 100-yard fly (106.43) and 100-yard breaststroke (1:12.75). Also for the Rock, Zuzack took home a pair of victories in the 200-yard individual medley (2:15.27) and the 100-yard freestyle (55.24). Other wins for the women included Walbright in the 1,000-yard freestyle (11:22.76), Stacey Henry in the 500-yard freestyle (5:49.05) and Betsy Wilson with her victory in the 100 yard backstroke (1:06.11).
Unfortunately, the men couldn't make it a perfect weekend for the Rock as they fell to Fairmont 108-77. Leading the way for the men was Bowers, who captured the lone Rock victory on the men's side in the 100-yard breaststroke.
Rock swimming coach Jim Yeamans said he was impressed with his team's performance over the weekend despite all the outside interference.
"We had a lot of good individual performances, but this past week has been an emotional rollercoaster for some of them," Yeamans said. "I think it could be affecting their performances."
Yeamans said he has been resting some of the swimmers who are close to qualifying.
"We have been tapering and resting some of them for the final couple meets," Yeaman's said. "The kids are kind of tired, but they are working hard and that's all we can ask."
The coach said the recent news of the elimination of the swimming program has made things more difficult on his team.
"It's certainly not making things any easier," Yeamans said. "It's heartbreaking for the athletes and the university and I'm just greatly saddened by the news."
