With just three weeks before Conference Champs and only two dual meets left, the 2008-09 season has been exciting and the best is still to come!
The Claremont trip was a raging success with amazing sunshine and fun. In the midst of increasing yardage and intensity, we still found time for a beach day and lots of hot tub time. It was especially welcome to put on shorts and sunscreen after the unusually heavy snow in the Northwest. Most importantly, the training level we achieved will carry us through Conference!
The men's team has continued to improve over the season and have already had some fantastic dual meet performances from individuals and relays. Ysbrand Nusse, Jamie Nusse, and Noel Sollom-Brotherton have had consistently excellent races this season capped with a school record in the 200 backstroke for Noel in our dual against
Whitworth! However the depth of the team has been the most impressive aspect to watch this season. There have too many good races to name! Freshmen Mitchell Lee, Matt Liedtke, Matt Rowett and Chris Bendix have all added to the team with both their work ethic in practice and their great swimming at meets. A close win against Linfield gave the Whitman men a fast start and they haven't looked back!The women's team had several solid dual meets as well. With a slightly smaller squad this year the women have stepped up to take on more events and more pressure. The result has been greater versatility and lot of exciting new races. Lauren Flynn and Chelsea Klinger have led the women in races and have stepped up to new leadership roles as upper classmen this year. Senior Courtney Fitzpatrick continues to contribute solid swims to strong relays and positive practices.
Our freshmen have already matured into stronger swimmers and teammates. Linnea Scott has been leading the distance lane while Monica Boshart takes on the breaststroke. Our junior class has been pivotal in leadership and racing. Captains Sidney Kohls, Kendi Thomas and Lauren, along with Chelsea and Jessie Neill have shaped the team with their attitudes and racing. With Kendi Thomas' return from study abroad in Costa Rica, she will hopefully add some strong races at conference for the team.
Our last two dual meets of the year UPS (in Tacoma, 5pm) and College of Idaho (home, 3pm) will wrap up our regular season and we hope to see some friends and family! As College of Idaho will be our last home meet, we will briefly honor our seniors for their contributions to the team before the meet. It's always hard to say good-bye!
Thanks for your support of Whitman swimming!
