February 17, 2008

ST.MARY'S CITY, Md.--Led by a talented group of freshmen and inspired by their three graduating seniors, the Gallaudet University Swim Team finished the 2007-2008 campaign on a very high note at the Capitol Athletic Conference (CAC) Swim Championships at St. Mary’s College February 15-17.  Nine team records were broken, numerous personal bests were turned in, and the foundation prepared for an even better 2008-09 season.  “It’s been a challenging road, but our swimmers are now competitive in a fast conference.  They deserve a lot of credit and I am incredibly proud of them,” said head coach Bill Snape, who was named the 2007-08 CAC men’s swim Coach of the Year.

Aqua-Bison were again led by freshman Carlisle Robinson who placed in three individual events (200 IM, 100 Fly, 200 Fly), narrowly missing team records in the 100 Fly (1:01) and 200 Fly (2:16), and significantly helping the four relays in which she competed for Gallaudet.   Other outstanding performances were turned in by: Kandace Morris in the 50 Free (27.6 relay split), 100 Free (1:01 relay split), 200 Free (2:16 relay split), 100 Back (1:12), 100 Fly (1:10 relay split), and 200 Fly (2:45); Marissa Larson in the 200 IM (2:47), 100 Free (1:02 relay split), 200 Free Relay split (2:22), 100 Breast (1:29); Katie Day in the 200 Free (2:25), 100 Free (1:03 relay split), and 50 Free (28.5 relay split); Jodi Winkelmann in the 50, 100 and 200 Back; Misella Tomita in the 50 Free (31.0), 100 Free (1:10.4), and 100 Back (1:18); Cloe Canela in the 50 Free (32.0) and 1650 (mile); and Kira Roberts in the 50 Free (36.2), 100 Free (1:22), and 100 Breast (1:49). 

On Sunday evening February 17, the CAC honored all senior conference swimmers and Gallaudet said a tearful goodbye to seniors Kandace Morris, David Torres and Ryan Kobylarz – all of whom had the finest meets of their outstanding collegiate careers as co-captains (along with junior co-captain Marissa Larson). 

“We are all taking a deserved break,” continued Snape, “before we start water polo club and voluntary (student led) dry-land off-season conditioning.”   Many of the Gallaudet swimmers will also train independently for the Summer 2008 tryouts to compete in the 2009 Deaflympics in Taiwan.  “Only 200 days until our next Gallaudet swim practice,” joked Snape, who pointed out that many Gallaudet swimmers have already logged well over 100 miles in the pool since the start of 2008.   “You need to be a little crazy and a lot tough to be a top swimmer, and our team has definitely taken it to the next level of excellence with that combination.”  All told, an historic eleven Gallaudet swimmers made the CAC finals in at least one relay or individual event.

The Aqua Bison open their 2008-09 campaign at home against perennial CAC powers University of Mary Washington and Salisbury University on Saturday October 25, 2008 at 1pm.