The Conference Meet - Part II - The Races

The Davidson Wildcats swam in 179 competives races over the weekend.

I am now going to write about all of them...

Just not on this spot.

One of the best parts about my job is getting to write the alumni newsletter, complete with statistics, points of view, photos, the whole nine yards. I'm pretty sure the ratio of positive feedback to constructive criticism is about 3:2 (I'll take it.) If you need a recap of the entire meet, be sure to let me know and I'll forward you a copy of the newsletter. I hope to be finished by Tuesday (if the photographer ever hands over the photos.)

For now, here are my Top Fifteen Races from the CCSA Championships:

#15 - Miller's 100 Fly in Prelims - Miller had gone through quite a bit of off-season shoulder reconstruction and was the best butterflier on the team prior to his injury. He wanted to make a statement that his shoulder had fully recovered and BAM! - 49.47 - the fastest split in Davidson history.

#14 - Madeline's, Bertram's, and Totten's gutsy Bread 'n' Butter events - These were memorable not just for the perseverance they each demonstrated repairing their respective shoulder ailments, but how well they did in their best events. Madeline went a career best time in the 200 fly in scoring tenth place, Bertram did the same in the 200 back (best, 10th) and Totten the same in the 100 fly (best, 13th.)

#13 - Colin's 1650 - I am encouraging every swimmer I know to swim the mile at some point in their career. It's the greatest. Colin won his heat with a consistency and fortitude that we had never seen before. The result - a 43 second drop. We were going crazy...and Colin responded and then some.

#12 - Kerman's 400 IM - Kerman had sparingly trained for this event during the season. When John suggested swimming the 400 IM as a benefit to the team's point standing, Kerman could not have been more willing. His exuberance got the best of him the morning swim, but at night, Kerm was in control - firing a mind-boggling 4:03.43 in capturing the silver medal.

#11 - Hailey's 200 Breaststroke - On paper, there's nothing too flashy about finishing 11th in an event that you occasionally enjoy. But if you factor that Hailey was seeded 24th, dropped over nine seconds, just swam the mile on the same day, and hunted down three girls on the final 50, you might actually have this race higher on your list.

#10 - Lindsey's 100 Free - Sidelined for three weeks in January with Mono, Lindsey's talent shined in the 100 free. Davidson's star sprinter just jolts off the blocks, took that initial lead, and toasted any oncomers in route to a gold medal and NCAA B cut (49.67 - sick.)

#9 - Anna's 400 IM - The sophomore's journey towards setting the college record did not come cheap. Anna took advantage of her strengths (fly and back) and dazzled in freestyle when her team needed her most with an impressive 1:00.7 split coming home. Final time - 4:25.88.

#8 - Sheetz' 500 Free - Being nervous is fine. Being nervous is an indication of concern. Being nervous keeps your focus. And when you transform these nerves into a tenacity that even you didn't know you had, the results can be epic. This was Sheetz' 500. A fourth place finish and college record later (4:57.85,) we had our first showstopper of the meet for the Lady Cats.

#7 - Peitz' 200 Fly - Our freshman rock sacrificed his best event (200 back) to get more points for the team. He bettered his already impressive college record in the 200 fly on the final day of competition. He might have looked like he was fading in the final 50, but Peitz found another gear in the last 25 yards to earn himself a gold medal in a record time of 1:51.84.

#6 - Merritt's 1650 - I'll never forget the conversation Merritt and I had Saturday afternoon before the mile. I felt like Tom in Seabiscuit talking to Red or George about how to ride their horse to victory. You put in so much preparation and planning and to watch him not only execute, but to pull away at the end was something very special to me as coach. Merritt's 1000 time going out (9:32.47) and final time (15:47.93) are Davidson and CCSA records that he can add to his goal medal swim.

#5 - Reamer's 1650 - The surgeries, the rehab, the pain, the commitment, the swim of her life. This race may have only taken 16:56.74 to complete, but it took 12 months to carve. Reamer was the lone Lady Cat in the finals of the mile and she looked magnificent representing the College. She stayed on pace throughout through every 50 and got stronger as the race unfolded.

#4 - Curtis' 500 free - If there every was a blind-side blitz in swimming, this was it. Curtis swam his 500 as smoothly as you would tie your shoes. HE DIDN'T LOOK LIKE HE WAS TRYING! His massive frame coupled with his efficient underwater kicks made for a jaw-dropping 4:26.89. And, I promise you, he could have hopped back in the water five minutes later and done it again - no doubt.

#3 - Castle's 100 fly - I want Emily Castle on my team for everything. I don't care if it's swimming, gymnastics, team in training, Yahtzee, pie-eating, you name it. If Joe Montana's cool and clutch combined with Larry Bird's swagger and came back as a woman, that's Castle. She doesn't talk to big game, but she executes with surgeon-like precision. While her time was absolutely amazing (54.62,) you wouldn't know by her demeanor. Clutch when it counts, Castle's 100 was unforgettable.

#2 - Men's 200, 400, and 800 Free Relays - It's hard to pick between the three. Droll split 19 in his 50, Merritt got the college record in the 100 (45.35) and the 800 free relay looked so good, the second place Charleston relay was behind them by about 7 seconds. Just a silly display of speed, power, and cohesiveness as the boys took three gold medals, three conference records, three college records, and didn't really leave a hint of doubt who has the best freestylers in the conference.

#1 - Women's 400 Free Relay - The final race of the conference championship was the most thrilling ride the natatorium showcased. Lindsey led off with a 49.91 and gave way to Tastic, who closes as well as any sprinter on the team. The rookie flew to the tune of 52.02 - and now we have a dead heat with Florida Gulf Coast as Montana-Bird woman dives in. As if this were her first race of the weekend, Castle fired a 50.44, but still FGCU was neck-and-neck with the Lady Cats. And then senior Courtney Sanders, in the last race of the season and of her brilliant career, looked one of FGCU finest sprinters dead in the eye and beat her with a sparkling four laps that brought the house down. Final gold medal winning time - 3:23.09 - better by .45 seconds - the gals first winning relay and a new CCSA and Davidson school record. It could not have been a better ending to the entire week of 179 phenomenal swims.

Part III - Reflection