By Brian ReganThe Daily Northwestern
Opening its season today against California, Northwestern will enter the pool with newfound optimism and personnel.
With seven incoming freshman, the team is substantially larger than it was last season, when many meets were almost defaulted to opponents due to a lack of numbers.
The freshmen also look ready to make an impact for the team. Already, some have been impressing their veteran teammates.
“Two to really keep an eye on are Emily Wong in the sprints, and Kassia Shishkoff in the distance,” junior freestyler Andrea Hupman said. “I always think the freshmen are one of the most exciting parts of the team, because you never know what they can do.”
Hupman is no slouch herself. She managed three second-place finishes at the Big Ten championships last March and earned All-America honors later in the spring.
Now the team is hoping for her to repeat that and earn more for others.
“Some people are ready to make jumps, including Andrea. She can take it a step higher than she did (in college meets) last year,” coach Jimmy Tierney said. “I think Hayley Fry, Jessie Bailis and Katie Braun will see greater success this year than they did last year, and these are girls who are all national-level talents.”
All four of those swimmers will have to provide leadership.
“I feel we have a young team, but at the same time I don’t think we lack leadership,” Fry said. “The people we have are very quality and our captains are great. I think everyone will be able to work well, and we have a lot of potential for the future.”
Another positive about the Cats’ situation is they do not lose any swimmers to graduation this year. But the team did lose it’s top diver Chelsea Davis when she transferred to Ohio State for personal reasons.
Also, after shaking up the coaching staff this year, Tierney added assistant coach Nicole Ellis, who already has been attracting top-level recruits’ attention to NU.
“We want to take a step forward in the Big Ten conference and at the NCAA championships,” Tierney said. “We want to start moving up in the upper echelon again, not only with individuals like we have with Andrea Hupman in years past, but with relays that are going to make an impact and qualify for nationals.”
The Cats take on the Golden Bears today, a team that placed fourth at the NCAA championships last spring.
“Cal is going to be one of our most challenging meets all season,” Hupman said. “I think that will be good for us. It will make us tough and mentally prepared for the rest of the season to come.”
Reach Brian Regan at [email protected].
