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The Rice Thresher
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by JOHN C. CHAO THRESHER STAFF The climb has continued for the women's swim team. Rice officially ended its season with a solid third-place finish at the Western Athletic Conference Championships three weeks ago. And with six swimmers qualified for this summer's U.S. Olympic Trials, the Owls can look back on their 1999-2000 campaign and safely call it a success. For the second straight year, the team exceeded even its own expectations and completed what could be its best season in a long time. "I've been pleasantly surprised with the way we've swum all year," head coach Doug Boyd said. "Even in the last meet of the year, we found ways to improve ourselves." As a result, Boyd said the Owls could likely find themselves in the top 25 when next year's preseason rankings are released. Boyd stated many reasons why he believes the team performed so well this year. He said the Owls kept their priorities in order while always keeping their goals in mind. In addition, the Owls as a team had more depth than perhaps ever before. "We had great camaraderie this year," Boyd said. "I believe we know what we want to achieve and how to go about achieving it." The work, however, is not nearly done. Six swimmers - junior Jada Sanders, sophomores Rachel Armstrong, April Martin, Katie Scholl and Elizabeth Williams, and freshman Mandy Mularz - earned the honor to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, Ind., on Aug. 9-16. At stake will be spots on the U.S. team that will compete in the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. In addition, Boyd said the entire team must train hard all summer to improve upon a season that saw eight school records broken. "This was a good year, but we need to increase conditioning this summer," Boyd said. "That way, when we prepare in the fall next year, we'll be ready to go." Rice will lose seniors Liz Corneliuson and Rachel Doyle to graduation. Boyd said the two will be missed, but he doesn't think the team will take any steps backwards next year. "We will miss their presence during practices and meets," Boyd said. "But I think that the swimmers we have will be able to step up." In addition, Boyd said the losses will be dampened by what he expects to be a strong recruiting class for next year. He said the team has already signed three recruits and hopes to sign at least three or four more. "We're bringing down 10 swimmers on a recruiting trip," Boyd said. "Hopefully, we will be able to sign at least a couple of them." Boyd said that even though experience does count for something, any of the freshmen could step in and make significant contributions right away. "In swimming, there is no learning period," he said. "Whoever are our best kids will swim in the meets." - back -
This document may be distributed electronically, provided that it is distributed in its entirety and includes this notice. However, it cannot be reprinted without the express written permission of: The Rice Thresher, Rice University MS-524, PO Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251-1892, USA. The Thresher Online Project -- ethresh@listserv.rice.edu |
