From coast to coast and pool to shining pool, it is difficult to find a group more successfully interchangeable between swimming and the classroom than the University of Denver men’s swimming and diving team.
“I think that the senior class plays a huge role in showing that academics come first,” said first-year coach Jim Henry.
The Pioneers are looking to defend last year’s No. 1 ranking in the College Swimming Coaches Association of America Academic All-American poll. In 2003, under former coach Jim Bain, the men’s squad finished with a team grade point average of 3.48. With the Feb. 15 deadline approaching, the Pioneers are currently sitting pretty with a 3.55 grade point average.
“The academic leadership is a trickle down effect and that is why we have a chance to be number one in the CSCAA Academic All-American poll,” said Henry. “I am blown away by the fact that their grade point average is 3.55.”
The Pioneers carry their elevated academic status into senior night against Metro State and Colorado College at 6 p.m. Friday in the El Pomar Natatorium. This will be the final home meet for seniors John Conyers, Greg Cox, Greg Dontchos, John Kolstoe, William Price, Robby Young, Keelan Smith, Charity Zeigler and Heather Bennett The atmosphere should be poignant, with parents in attendance as seniors receive awards and recognition for their contributions to the swimming program.
“The team knowing that this is the senior’s last home meet is going to be emotional,” said Henry. “It will be part sadness, part moving on and mostly memories of the meets and the time spent together as a team.”
Even though the Pioneers dropped their last meet to TCU 159-82 and Air Force 136-105, it was the paramount performance of the season. Training gradually became longer and harder around Jan. 4, but the Pioneers endured four extremely hard workouts in a row prior to their meet against TCU and Air Force.
“We had our best meet of the year, after two hard weeks of training in a fatigued condition,” said Henry of the TCU and Air Force meet.
Colorado College comes in having competed at three consecutive road meets while Metro State is still searching for its first team win. Meanwhile, Pioneer practice will occasionally be turned into a mock meet in order to achieve a more competitive feeling.
Henry has his team focused and in shape going into Friday’s meet and eventually the NIC Conference Championships Feb. 25-28.
“The Metro State/Colorado College meet is a tune-up for the conference championships,” said Henry. “We are in the final tune-up stage.”
Henry is assured that the seniors will be sent off in a fashionable manner and that they will be successful in all of their future endeavors.
“They have done a great job of accepting me and there is a very mature attitude among them,” said Henry. “They do what is best for the team. I have nothing but respect and admiration for these group of leaders.”
