Volume 28, Issue 09, October 20, 2005
sports
'Runners against 'Runners in preseason exhibition meet
Swim team, new head coach get ready for 2005 season with annual event
By Jennifer Hankins
jhankin4@mscd.edu
This weekend, the swimming and diving team was back in the water for its preseason, Metro vs. Metro meet.
The intra-squad Red/Blue meet gave the team an early assessment of its overall strength and areas that need more work.
Photos by Adrian DiUbaldo adiubald@mscd.edu
Metro swimmer Jake Haffner wins the 400-meter relay at the exhibition meet on Saturday, Oct. 15 in the Auraria Event Center.
With the teams' circumstances, there are many adjustments to be made.
For starters, there is a new head coach, Winthrop Dyer, who has been coaching competitively since 1989, and was a nine-time All-American swimmer and two-time All-American water polo player at Johns Hopkins.
Dyer also made Olympic Trials in 1984.
"I have always had a passion for coaching and teaching," Dyer said. "With the tremendous assistance of the returning team members, administration, and assistant coaches Kevin Sage and former Metro swimmer Dan France, we have begun building on a core group of freshman men and women swimmers who will become the foundation of a powerful program in the near future."
The other opportunity, or challenge, for Metro's Swimming and Diving team is competing in the Northern Collegiate Conference.
Photos by Adrian DiUbaldo adiubald@mscd.edu
Metro Swimmer Casey Story propels through the water during the preseason Metro versus Metro meet.
They face older teams that may have more experience than the 'Runners have at this point in the game.
Dyer said he is very positive and has a few people to thank for the great start this season.
"Overall, we have started out strong and will continue to strive for personal bests, improving in the conference standings," Dyer said. "I would like to say that my brief time here has been fantastic already. Everyone, from the human resources to athletics and recreational sports departments, has been extremely helpful and supportive. I see only positive results down the road."
The next home meets will be held in November on consecutive weekends of the 5th, 12th, and 19th.
The Nov. 12 meet is a five-way dual meet with Denver University, Colorado College, University of South Dakota and Colorado School of Mines. The meets start at 9 a.m.
The Roadrunners' swimming and diving season will continue through February, with NCAA championships in March.