Sports Reporter
scschroc@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
Over 15 NCAA tournament appearances, 13 school records, 10 All-RMAC selections, RMAC champion, RMAC Diver of the Year, and a national All-American. The CMU swimming and diving team boasts an impressive resumé coming into the season, and with a new coach and new goals, the team has high expectations.
“I think this team is going to the next level,” sophomore sprinter Peter Szekely said. “Everyone talks about their high goals, and we are determined to do well. I’m very excited for this season.”
Szekely and the Mavs jumped out to a fast start Friday and Saturday with several first and second place finishes at the Intermountain Shootout, which featured two D1 programs in Northern Colorado and the Air Force Academy.
Kelly Hogan, Briana Purkapile and Robyn Meeks set the pace for the women with nine second-place finishes. Purkapile, Hogan, Annie Jones and Samantha Parker took second in the 200 Free Relay with a time of 1:44.69, and Purkapile, Hogan, Karlie Wagner and Jillian Hayes followed with an 8:40.66 finish in the 800 Free Relay.
“Our good start shows us that with more training and hard work, we will be able to go farther than before and reach our team and individual goals,” Purkapile said. “We really want to have more people make Nationals, including our men and women relay teams, which we’ve never done before. I definitely want to make it to Nationals in the 200 and 400 [Individual Medley].”
Purkapile also finished second in the 200 I.M. and 100 Fly, while Hogan took second in the 500 Free. Meeks tallied two more runner-up finishes with a 1:04.06 in the 100 Backstroke and a 58.05 performance in the 100 Free.
“This weekend gave us a good indication of how this season will go,” Meeks said. “Doing good this early shows all the potential talent we have as a team. Everyone is just trying to have the best season possible, but we have a lot to prove still.”
The men’s side also finished the weekend with a slew of second-place titles, including three from Tyler Kaslick in the 200 Fly, 100 Fly and 500 Free. Shaun Seuschek finished the weekend with two runner-ups in the 100 Backstroke and 200 I.M. Szekely also continued his strong swimming in the 100 Free with a second-place time of 48.39 seconds.
“Our team is an excited group and is ready to shine,” Szekely said. “I want to excel in the classroom and in the pool. Taking my swimming and education to the next level is the reason I came to CMU, and as a team I think we share these goals.”
All-American diver Brock Martin highlights the diving in the RMAC, proving it by winning both the one-meter and three-meter. Amanda Jennings also dove well for the women, earning second place in both the one-meter and three-meter events, while Savannah Craft took third in both events.
Despite being an All-American diver, RMAC Diver of the Year and RMAC champion, Martin is motivated to take the next step with another trip to Nationals in his sights.
“My motivation is Nationals,” Martin said. “I love Nationals. It’s the most fun and competitive meet I go to. I’ve done well in the past, but I want to make it in the top five this year. That’s my ultimate goal.”
The team as a whole is putting in the extra work to improve, and first-year head coach Ron Allen has been putting the team’s work ethic to the test. The team has longer workouts that include cross-fit training.
“There’s been some changes with the training approach than what we are used to, but it seems to be helpful,” Purkapile said. “He has been hard with the crossfit, but it’ll only make us stronger.”
Szekely added that Allen has increased the team’s confidence, and that great things are going to happen for the program.
“Coach Allen has completely changed the atmosphere of the team,” Meeks said. “He has given us a lot of much-needed stroke work. It’s been helpful to break down strokes, and his training plan is exactly what our team needs.”
The team will look to continue its strong start next Saturday at noon at El Pomar Natatorium, where they will host Colorado School of Mines.
Recent Comments