Swimmers building momentum

The college's men's and the women's swimming and diving teams are off to a rough start. The men are 0-4 and the women are 1-4 after defeating SUNY Potsdam. The teams have also lost four swimmers to injuries and absences due to study abroad programs. "We're starting to rebound, however, and we look forward to getting stronger throughout the season," said Head Coach Jill Greenleaf.

Last season, the women's team set three college records and the men recorded 15, while finishing 3-5 and 1-7 respectively. In addition, three-meter diver, Doug Pilawa '12, was the first Skidmore athlete to qualify for NCAA nationals. "My main goal this year is being selected for Nationals. Other than that, I want to add some new dives to my list," said Pilawa.

Mary Ellen "Ellie" Raymond is the assistant coach in charge of the diving team. "She is like a grandmother. I love her," Pilawa. Raymond also coaches the Saratoga High School diving team.

Pilawa says that although he is close with the entire swim team, he and the other divers are especially close this year. "We practice everyday just like other teams and we are a talented group," he said. He has already qualified for nationals in the one-meter dive.

Greenleaf recognizes the team captains as strong competitors and teammates. Sonia Segal-Smith '10 is a multiple event winner, holding records in four individual events and four relay events. Heather Friedman '10 leads in sprints and anchored the medley relay, and Kelsey Carson '11 leads in the IM and butterfly. "I feel so honored to be a captain of this team. I see my teammates as my surrogate family here at Skidmore and it is amazing to see everyone progress throughout the season," said Carson, who holds the college record in the 200-meter butterfly.

On the men's team are captains Tom Saglimbeni '10 and John Tyler Norton '10. Saglimbeni and Norton each hold two individual records and four relay records, Norton championing in breaststroke and Saglimbeni in the 200-meter freestyle and 200-meter butterfly.

Greenleaf also noted that first year athletes have added depth to the teams. Swimmer Carrie Koch '13, races distance freestyle and the individual medley. She won the 1000-meter freestyle against SUNY Potsdam.

Greenleaf also praised two first year women divers, Julia DeGemmis and Kristen Stearns, as "making an impact." Stearns, who has been diving for five years, wants to improve on her old dives and challenge herself to learn new ones. "Trying a new dive is stressful for the first few times, but really exciting once you finally get it," she said. Like Pilawa, she also values Raymond's coaching. "It's obvious that when she corrects my techniques, she knows what she's talking about. Every time I apply her advice, my dives improve," said Stearns.

The goal for this season and every season, Greenleaf explains, is always to improve. "More wins, higher placing in meets and improvement from the year before," she said. She remains positive that all these goals are attainable for this season, despite its shaky start.

In the mean time, the teams hope more spectators will attend home meets, held on Saturday's in the Sports and Recreation Center. "It's nice to have fans. We work very hard," said Carson. "And to all the people who watch us creepily from the window by the pool while we practice: We see you too!"