With its first-ever NCAA ranking in tow, Northwestern’s men’s swimming team is poised to make a splash in Big Ten competition this season.
NU’s international polls No. 20 standing is an example of the team’s rising status after finishing 23rd at the NCAA championships and fifth in the conference last year.
“We’re ecstatic,” junior Kellan O’Connor said of his team’s ranking. “It’s quite an accomplishment for us.”
Head coach Bob Groseth agrees: “It’s good to be recognized, but we need to back up that ranking. As I tell my team, the only rank that counts is the one at the end of the season.”
The Cats have lofty goals for the remainder of the season. Led by freestyler/backstroker Tony Swanson, distance freestyler Mike Shue, sprint freestyler Nick Barnes, breaststroker Aaron McCracken and butterfly specialist O’Connor, they hope to finish among the top 15 nationally and land in third place in the Big Ten behind talent-stocked Michigan and Minnesota.
After completing their fall schedule, the Cats currently seem to be living up to their ranking. They pulled off convincing wins over Wisconsin-Milwaukee (139-90) on Oct. 26 and Eastern Michigan (172-120) on Nov. 10. Their only dual meet loss came at the hands of Wisconsin (187-101) on Nov. 8.
Additionally, NU recently hosted two events at Norris Aquatics Center: the NU Relays and the NU Invitational. On Oct. 28, the Cats took first place at Relays and then took second to Purdue at the Invitational on Nov. 18.
Despite a successful fall season, the swimmers’ 2002 schedule might prove to be more difficult because the Cats have few challenging meets before the Big Ten Championships, Groseth said.
During the winter season, the swimmers will compete in only three dual meets — against Michigan State on Jan. 12, Illinois-Chicago on Jan. 18 and Iowa on Feb. 8 — before heading to the all-important Big Ten championships, held Feb. 28-Mar. 2 in Bloomington, Ind.
“Our focus is on the Big Ten championships and then the NCAA Championships,” said Groseth, a 13-year coaching veteran for NU. “Our success depends on whether we get our relays in and how fast we swim.”
At least six swimmers are hoping to represent NU at the NCAA championships in March.
But with the graduation of All-American freestyler Steve Steketee last June, the Cats are without their key relay anchor. The team is counting on this season’s crop of freshmen, led by butterfly and freestyle specialist Phil Mercier, to rise to the occasion.
“This year’s freshmen are among the most devoted we’ve seen,” O’Connor said. “They all have the intensity we’re looking for.”
Sophomore Mark Hamming agreed: “With every meet, they’re making improvements and developing.”
The freshmen, along with the other team members, will continue to improve during winter training in Hawaii.
“Beautiful weather stimulates the players to work harder and it’s helpful to have the swimmers always surrounded by water, even in recreational activities,” Groseth said.
Being in prime physical condition will make a difference in the Cats’ drive toward a high ranking at season’s end. And it seems like the time is right for NU to take the Big Ten by storm — conference rivals Wisconsin and Penn State had several key seniors graduate.
