2008 Woodie Awards
Different strokes for different folks
Club swim team competes locally and nationally
Joseph Murphy
Issue date: 10/2/07 Section: Sports
The UNCG club swim team is made up of swimmers of all levels, from those looking to compete to some who rarely even touch the water. The team currently has 30 members, as well as two co-coaches and a number of captains.
In addition to the co-coaches, juniors Hope Fargis and Sasha Mash, the team is led by four captains who also help run and organize the team. Andrew Simons handles PR, McKenzie Smith is the team secretary, and Billy Shue and Meredith Tomblin split the duties of treasurer.
Fargis and Mash said they created the captain positions this summer in an effort to manage the team more efficiently.
"Since the team is continuing to grow, we decided to delegate more responsibility to the captains and so far they've done a tremendous job," said Fargis. The re-organization of the team is also intended to allow the team to expand and accommodate new members.
"We cater to all levels of swimmers. Whether you're a beginning or advanced swimmer," said Fargis. "We make sure you learn the technical strengths of the butterfly, breast stroke, back stroke, and freestyle. We even have a few people on the team who have never learned how to swim before and we're actually teaching them how to swim now."
The team is a part of the American Swimming Association of Universities League (ASAU). They compete against area and regional schools like High Point, UNC-Chapel Hill, Virginia, and Georgia Tech. They also compete against schools that are scattered throughout the country like Ohio State, Princeton, Colorado, and Oregon. Membership in the ASAU allows the team to compete in nationals in the spring, as they did last year in Charlottesville, Va.
Practice is held in Rosenthal Pool in the Health and Human Performance building. Though attendance at practice is not mandatory Mash says "the people who show up regularly really enjoy it."
Students may be worried that they wouldn't have time to fit club swimming in with their hectic schedules, which Mash admits can be a problem, but it's controllable.
"It's time consuming if you actually put the time into it," said Mash. "It depends on what you put into it to see what you'll get out of it."
"The rewards of the team definitely outweigh the stresses," said Fargis. "I enjoy the team and look forward to it."
Fargis also advocates the physical fitness benefits of swimming as a reason to join.
"Swimming is one of the best things you can do for your body," explained Fargis. "It's soft on your body compared to running or soccer and it's something that everyone can do. Once you learn to swim it's something you can do for your entire life."
Fargis also explained the satisfaction in watching swimmers develop through the year. "It's incredible to see how they come in at the beginning of the year versus how they leave at the end of the year when they're in top performance and top shape."
A club sports allocation covers most of the team's yearly expenses; however, team members must pay a yearly $30 dues that also gets them a team t-shirt and hat.
The team participated in a meet this past weekend at the University of Tennessee, and they will also participate in meets at Elon University and East Carolina later this fall. The team plans to take part in nationals in Atlanta, Ga.
For more information contact the coaches at spartanswim3@yahoo.com.
In addition to the co-coaches, juniors Hope Fargis and Sasha Mash, the team is led by four captains who also help run and organize the team. Andrew Simons handles PR, McKenzie Smith is the team secretary, and Billy Shue and Meredith Tomblin split the duties of treasurer.
Fargis and Mash said they created the captain positions this summer in an effort to manage the team more efficiently.
"Since the team is continuing to grow, we decided to delegate more responsibility to the captains and so far they've done a tremendous job," said Fargis. The re-organization of the team is also intended to allow the team to expand and accommodate new members.
"We cater to all levels of swimmers. Whether you're a beginning or advanced swimmer," said Fargis. "We make sure you learn the technical strengths of the butterfly, breast stroke, back stroke, and freestyle. We even have a few people on the team who have never learned how to swim before and we're actually teaching them how to swim now."
The team is a part of the American Swimming Association of Universities League (ASAU). They compete against area and regional schools like High Point, UNC-Chapel Hill, Virginia, and Georgia Tech. They also compete against schools that are scattered throughout the country like Ohio State, Princeton, Colorado, and Oregon. Membership in the ASAU allows the team to compete in nationals in the spring, as they did last year in Charlottesville, Va.
Practice is held in Rosenthal Pool in the Health and Human Performance building. Though attendance at practice is not mandatory Mash says "the people who show up regularly really enjoy it."
Students may be worried that they wouldn't have time to fit club swimming in with their hectic schedules, which Mash admits can be a problem, but it's controllable.
"It's time consuming if you actually put the time into it," said Mash. "It depends on what you put into it to see what you'll get out of it."
"The rewards of the team definitely outweigh the stresses," said Fargis. "I enjoy the team and look forward to it."
Fargis also advocates the physical fitness benefits of swimming as a reason to join.
"Swimming is one of the best things you can do for your body," explained Fargis. "It's soft on your body compared to running or soccer and it's something that everyone can do. Once you learn to swim it's something you can do for your entire life."
Fargis also explained the satisfaction in watching swimmers develop through the year. "It's incredible to see how they come in at the beginning of the year versus how they leave at the end of the year when they're in top performance and top shape."
A club sports allocation covers most of the team's yearly expenses; however, team members must pay a yearly $30 dues that also gets them a team t-shirt and hat.
The team participated in a meet this past weekend at the University of Tennessee, and they will also participate in meets at Elon University and East Carolina later this fall. The team plans to take part in nationals in Atlanta, Ga.
For more information contact the coaches at spartanswim3@yahoo.com.
Be the first to comment on this story