Swimmers building momentum
Audrey Nelson
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: Sports
The college's men's and the women's swimming and diving teams are off to a rough start. The men are 0-4 and the women are 1-4 after defeating SUNY Potsdam. The teams have also lost four swimmers to injuries and absences due to study abroad programs. "We're starting to rebound, however, and we look forward to getting stronger throughout the season," said Head Coach Jill Greenleaf.
Last season, the women's team set three college records and the men recorded 15, while finishing 3-5 and 1-7 respectively. In addition, three-meter diver, Doug Pilawa '12, was the first Skidmore athlete to qualify for NCAA nationals. "My main goal this year is being selected for Nationals. Other than that, I want to add some new dives to my list," said Pilawa.
Mary Ellen "Ellie" Raymond is the assistant coach in charge of the diving team. "She is like a grandmother. I love her," Pilawa. Raymond also coaches the Saratoga High School diving team.
Pilawa says that although he is close with the entire swim team, he and the other divers are especially close this year. "We practice everyday just like other teams and we are a talented group," he said. He has already qualified for nationals in the one-meter dive.
Greenleaf recognizes the team captains as strong competitors and teammates. Sonia Segal-Smith '10 is a multiple event winner, holding records in four individual events and four relay events. Heather Friedman '10 leads in sprints and anchored the medley relay, and Kelsey Carson '11 leads in the IM and butterfly. "I feel so honored to be a captain of this team. I see my teammates as my surrogate family here at Skidmore and it is amazing to see everyone progress throughout the season," said Carson, who holds the college record in the 200-meter butterfly.
On the men's team are captains Tom Saglimbeni '10 and John Tyler Norton '10. Saglimbeni and Norton each hold two individual records and four relay records, Norton championing in breaststroke and Saglimbeni in the 200-meter freestyle and 200-meter butterfly.
Last season, the women's team set three college records and the men recorded 15, while finishing 3-5 and 1-7 respectively. In addition, three-meter diver, Doug Pilawa '12, was the first Skidmore athlete to qualify for NCAA nationals. "My main goal this year is being selected for Nationals. Other than that, I want to add some new dives to my list," said Pilawa.
Mary Ellen "Ellie" Raymond is the assistant coach in charge of the diving team. "She is like a grandmother. I love her," Pilawa. Raymond also coaches the Saratoga High School diving team.
Pilawa says that although he is close with the entire swim team, he and the other divers are especially close this year. "We practice everyday just like other teams and we are a talented group," he said. He has already qualified for nationals in the one-meter dive.
Greenleaf recognizes the team captains as strong competitors and teammates. Sonia Segal-Smith '10 is a multiple event winner, holding records in four individual events and four relay events. Heather Friedman '10 leads in sprints and anchored the medley relay, and Kelsey Carson '11 leads in the IM and butterfly. "I feel so honored to be a captain of this team. I see my teammates as my surrogate family here at Skidmore and it is amazing to see everyone progress throughout the season," said Carson, who holds the college record in the 200-meter butterfly.
On the men's team are captains Tom Saglimbeni '10 and John Tyler Norton '10. Saglimbeni and Norton each hold two individual records and four relay records, Norton championing in breaststroke and Saglimbeni in the 200-meter freestyle and 200-meter butterfly.
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