Northwestern University Athletics
2001-02 Women's Swimming and Diving Outlook
10/26/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Oct. 26, 2001
Evanston, Ill. - When discussing the upcoming season, there is one word that Northwestern women's swimming coach Jimmy Tierney seems to use over and over.
That word is returning.
The Wildcats have a substantial number of swimmers and divers back in the pool this year, giving them one of the deepest squads in Tierney's 14-year tenure at NU. Twenty letterwinners return, including five All-Americans and two Big Ten champions. With the addition of an All-America transfer from Nebraska and a handful of promising freshmen, Tierney is expecting to have a full flight of 'Cats heading to Austin, Texas, in mid-March to compete at the NCAA championships.
The distance freestyle group will likely be the strongest component of this year's squad. They return Big Ten champion and All-American Vicky West, who set the school record in the mile at last year's conference championships with a time of 16:17.20. All-American Erica Rose, Nicole Bernard and Stephane Cranston will provide the depth needed to make this "one of the best groups in the country," according to Tierney.
The sprint group will try to rebound from an atypically mediocre season last year and figures to be faster than ever with a handful of experienced returnees.
"I am looking forward to this group of swimmers," said Tierney. "The sprinters are going to be stronger and faster than they have been in years past."
Maria Reeves and Lauren Moore will lead the pack. Reeves placed 10th in the 50 free at the Big Ten championships last year, posting the Wildcats' best time of the season at 23.32. Joining the squad this season is Nebraska transfer Carmen Cosgrove, who earned All-America honors last year in the 50 free as a Cornhusker.
Watch for some movement within the 100 free lineup throughout the year, as Tierney and his staff use a committee effort to pick up dual-meet points. Moore and Reeves return as last year's top finishers and will receive help from Erin Swenson, Katie Simmons, Susie Sample and freshman Paige Nath.
According to Tierney, the middle distance squad will use a mixed bag of competitors to maximize its potential.
"This group should be stronger than the past few years," he said. "We will combine some of the distance group with Erin, Katie and Rachel (Johnson) to take on any challengers."
It seems every year the 'Cats must bounce back in one event after losing a key member of the group. This season, Tierney is given the task of replacing four-time All-American Tashy Bohm in the backstroke.
"We are hurt by the loss of Tashy, but we do have a lot of strong swimmers returning who are poised to take over where she left off," said Tierney.
Sample, who has been the Wildcats' No. 2 backstroker the past two seasons, will have the opportunity to emerge from Bohm's shadow this season, as the two-time All-American becomes the frontrunner in the event. Assistance in the stroke will come from Bernard and Rachel Tepe.
"Susie has the capability to take over the backstroke dominance held by Tashy over the past few years," said Tierney
The breaststroke has been a Wildcat specialty for many years now, and with the return of sophomore Simmons and senior Ashley Wagner the 'Cats should have no problem keeping that tradition alive. Tierney is hoping that a year of experience will propel this group into the national spotlight.
"The breaststroke group should blossom this year," said Tierney. "They know the tradition that has been established in the past, but they will carve their own niche in the Big Ten and NCAA scene. This up-and-coming group is hungry for success."
The butterfly group is by far the deepest stroke for the 'Cats this season. Three upperclassmen return, including All-America and All-Big Ten selection Rachel Johnson. Johnson capped off a career weekend at the conference championships last season with a second-place finish in the 200 fly. Johnson will be joined by Adams, who placed fourth in the 100 and 200 fly at Big Tens last season. Cosgrove and freshman Christy Olin will also look to make waves in the fly group.
"This year we are overflowing with great flyers," said Tierney. "Dual meets will be fun because we will be able to move things around and throw different people into the lineup."
Look for a variety of faces to appear on the IM list. Both Johnson and Rose swam the 400 IM at NCAA's last season, while Johnson and Adams were finalist in the 200 IM at Big Tens. Tierney will also count on Nath to compete for dual-meet points in the 200 IM.
Relays can sway the results of a dual meet significantly, as the Wildcats saw last year in their final-race victory over Michigan.
"All of our relays will be challenging the top of the Big Ten this year and pushing to qualify at NCAA's," said Tierney. "We are much more experienced, and with increased strength as a squad we will have more speed than last year. The medleys and longer free relays will initially prove stronger, but the sprinters will reveal their power as the year progresses."
The last page of the media guide displays how much emphasis Tierney and his team puts on the concept of team unity.
"The job of the upperclassmen is to pull those incoming freshmen up and give them the confidence they need to be competitive at this level," said Tierney. "Leadership this year will extend beyond our captains. Team spirit and enthusiasm will travel all the way down the ranks."
At first glance, this may seem like the same team from last year, but Tierney warns that the same results should not be expected. This squad is older, stronger, faster and more experienced.
"The experience gained by last year's underclassmen will prove invaluable," he concludes. "If they realize how much talent they have and develop a strong believe in each other, this team will achieve great things this year."
