Both the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams have had a successful start to the season. After emerging victorious against SUNY Potsdam in their first meet, both teams won a tri-meet at Colby-Sawyer College, against Colby-Sawyer and Gordon Colleges. The men are currently 5-0, and the women, 4-1.
Coach Jim Donoghue says he is exceptionally optimistic after the recent wins.
“In reality we probably won’t stay undefeated, but we will have a positive conclusion at championships,” Donoghue says.
Senior co- captain Alex Canning is excited about the team's performance thus far. “[The team] is like the waves of an ocean…we just keep on coming, the depth is unbelievable,” Canning says.
First-years dive in to the team
This year’s men’s team has almost doubled in size due to first-year additions. The new swimmers bring talent, energy and depth to the team, senior co-captain Stephanie Hammer says.
“With sheer numbers, we can put the maximum number of people in events,” she says.
In addition to bringing up the actual number of bodies on the swim team, the first-years have easily picked up on the commitment level of the upperclassmen swimmers, Donoghue says.
The first-year swimmers have pure talent, and all have the potential to break records, senior co-captain Rob Hasson says.
First-year Allen Hubbard feels like he fits in well on the team, he says. There is a very positive feeling of encouragement on the team, he says.
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Nick Franks, Tim McGrath, Scott Posner, Austin Bell, Mike Sprague, and Dan Healy are all members of the class of 2012.
(Photo by Rob Hasson) |
Dan Healy, named Northeast-10 Freshman of the Week Nov. 10, enjoys the laid back dynamic of the swim team, saying it’s like being part of a mini family.
Eileen Mullowney makes her mark
One of the biggest assets on the women’s swim team this season is first-year Eileen Mullowney. As of Nov. 9, Mullowney had broken the 100 meter individual medley (IM) record, as well as the 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 meter freestyle records.
Mullowney was also named NE-10 Freshman of the Week on Nov. 10.
Mullowney, a Burlington native who has been swimming at the St. Michael’s pool since she was 10 years old, chose to come to St. Michael’s because she loves both Vermont and the school, and because her father went to graduate school here, she says.
“Eileen Mullowney could end up being the most talented swimmer we’ve had at this college,” Donoghue says.
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First-years and NE-10 Freshmen of the Week Eileen Mullowney and Dan Healy take a break during practice.
(Photo by Rob Hasson) |
Overall, the women’s swim team looks poised to have a very successful season, and should be a threat at championships, co-captain Marisa Mulligan says.
On the road again
Since the season-opening meet against SUNY Potsdam, all of the swim meets have been away. The teams will continue to be on the road until they return for their second home meet on Jan 11.
The NE-10 championships will take place at Southern Connecticut University the first weekend of December. The swim team's season spans over two semesters, and the NE-10 championships take place during the middle of the swimming season.
The NE-10’s have become an end-of-semester event, rather than an end-of-season event, because swimming has not always been a conference sport, Donoghue says. Many teams, St. Michael's included, did not want to stop participating in traditional end-of-season events after swimming became a conference sport, he says.
Having so many away meets in a row can be challenging for the teams. Being away for a meet requires a small adjustment to a different atmosphere, Mulligan says. Swimming at home is an advantage because of the home crowd energy, she says.
There are both good and bad aspects to having so many away meets, sophomore Aidan Warhall says. Home meets are less stressful and allow for the team to sleep in, but away meets allow the team to get to know each other better on the bus rides, he says.
Long bus rides are a great opportunity to bond, laugh and encourage teammates with their homework, Hasson says. However, it can be tough to be on the road and away from school.
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Head coach Jim Donoghue (left) and assistant coach Drew Milikin. The new additions to the swimming and diving team are blending in rapidly, Donoghue says.
(Photo by Rob Hasson) |
The swim meet schedule alternates from year to year. Next year, St. Michael’s will have more home meets, Donoghue says.
“There are tough parts [about away meets], but it builds the social aspect of the team, especially since swimming’s a sport where you spend most of your time with your head in the water,” he says.
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