Hurricane Swimmers Prepare For Last Leg
Feb. 17, 2003
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – – Entering the 2002-03 season, University of Miami swim coach James Sweeney saw considerable potential for a young women’s squad bolstered by a corps of returning All-Americans Manon Van Rooijen, Christine Williams, Megan Kinsella, and Erin Johns.
“Coming off of one of our best seasons in over 10 years, (I’ve had) high expectations for our women’s team,” Sweeney said. “We brought more than we lost so we expect not only to keep getting faster, but also to improve our third place-finish at BIG EAST and 15th at NCAA’s.”
Last season, UM swimmers broke eight school records and Sweeney noted that his team is on pace to break even more of them this season as the Hurricanes bear down into the “tapering” period and BIG EAST Championships.
For the past two seasons, the Hurricanes’ top swimmer has been Dutch Olympic Bronze Medalist Van Rooijen, who has taken at least one first-place finish in each dual meet UM has participated. At the US Open, Van Rooijen recorded a number of the Hurricanes’ personal bests including a time of 49.82 in the 100-yard freestyle, 1:48.89 in the 200 free, and 2:05.44 in the 200 IM.
“Manon Van Rooijen has continued her winning ways,” Sweeney said. “Manon has stepped up her training and her goals for the season.”
Both in and out of the pool, seniors Elaine Schwartz and Christine Williams have anchored the team, according to Sweeney.
“Schwartz has been a tremendous leader and swimmer for us,” the coach said. “She is extremely versatile and is looking to get back to the NCAA Championships. Christine Williams has continued to work hard and I expect her to make her NCAA cuts individually this year.”
Schwartz has recorded the team’s best times in the 1000 free (10:31.86), the 200 breaststroke (2:24.31), and the 400 IM (4:30.23).
Williams, meanwhile, generated the team’s best time in the 50 free (23.51).
Sweeney noted that the one of the team’s highlights was its performance at the Indiana Invitational.
“Freshman Adrien Ferguson had an outstanding meet while swimming to all best times in her events,” he said. “Many others made their BIG EAST qualifying times.”
The Hurricane swimmers who have qualified for the BIG EAST Championships include Colleen Adkins, who will compete in the 100 and 200-yard breaststroke and the 200 IM; Meghan Clabby in the 100 and 200 breaststroke; Katalin Ferenczi, the 100 and 200 backstroke; Adrien Ferguson, the 100 and 200 butterfly as well as the 200 IM; Erin Johns, 50 and 100 freestyle; Megan Kinsella, 100 and 200 free; Martyna Krawczyk, 100 and 200 breast; Elaine Schwartz, 200 fly and the 200 and 400 IM; Christina Swanson, 50 free and 100 and 200 breast; Manon Van Rooijen, the 200 IM and 100 and 200 free; Tammy Watts, the 100 and 200 back; and Christine Williams, the 50, 100, and 200 free.
From the Hurricanes’ diving squad, Katie Beth Bryant, Melanie Rinaldi, Emily Spychala, and Miguel Velazquez will all compete in both the one and three-meter events.
