Oct. 23, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern will kick off the 2003-04 season Friday with a dual meet at UW-Milwaukee. NU, who was hampered by injuries last season, seeks to return to its usual spot as a Big Ten powerhouse.
In order for any machine to work properly, each and every intricate piece must function at full speed-just ask the Northwestern women's swimming and diving program. Head coach Jimmy Tierney had been running the swimming equivalent of a machine, having guided at least one NU swimmer to a Big Ten championship in each of his first nine seasons.
However, last year, some of the parts were physically unable to function at full speed. Somehow the injury bug found its way into the pool at the Norris Aquatics Center and the Wildcats were not completely healthy at any point in the 2002-03 season.
Consequently, the year ended without a Wildcat standing on the top of the awards stand at the Big Ten Championships for the first time since 1987.
"Last year was the worst we've had as far as injuries go since I've been a part of this program," Tierney said.
"It never seemed like we had everybody healthy at one time-and I think that really affected our team both physically and mentally."
However, like any good machine, you fix the parts that were a little banged up and you get it running again. That is exactly what Tierney and his Wildcats hope to do this season.
"I am excited about what this team can do. Everybody is eager to put last year behind them and really focus on having a great season," Tierney said.
With the combination of experienced leadership and youthful talent, there is plenty to be excited about.
One area of the team which possesses both experience and young talent is in the freestyle. The sprint group consisting of Sara Petric, Marijana Surkovic, and Maria Reeves will welcome a few new faces. Michelle Oeser, a transfer from Brown University, garnered first-and second-team All-Ivy League honors and is someone Tierney expects to contribute immediately. Juniors Lori Schwanhausser and Shuyan Phua also will add depth to the unit.
"We've got as deep a sprint group as we've had in a long time," Tierney said. "We should be very strong in this stroke."
The 'Cats will look to produce points from a few veterans in the freestyle distance events as well. Vicky West seeks to return to the form that made her the Big Ten Champion in the 1650 freestyle in 2001. Erica Rose, who has been dubbed 'the face of U.S. open water swimming' after winning yet another 10K national championship, will join West and sophomore Amy Mueller to form a solid trio.
Sophomore Katie Paglini will lead the 'Cats again in the backstroke. Paglini, who holds the Illinois high school state record in the 100 and 200 backstroke, was third in the conference in 200 back heading into the Big Ten Championships and should make a push at the top again this season.
Rachel Tepe, who was one of the Wildcats handicapped by injuries last season, is as healthy as she has been since coming to Northwestern and will contribute in the backstroke.
Perhaps the deepest stroke heading into the season for the Wildcats is the breaststroke.
Katie Simmons and Brielle Bovee, who both suffered with injuries last season, will anchor the group.
"If those two are strong and healthy, they are NCAA-quality swimmers," Tierney said. "They can contend with almost anybody they compete against."
Freshman Jenna Barbary is expected to be a big scorer in the breast events and should have a bright future ahead of her.
Another freshman expected to shine early and often for the Wildcats is Kristin Kilroy. Heading into the season, Kilroy has the fastest butterfly times of anyone on the team. She will swim all ranges of the fly, but has found the most success in some of the sprint events. Along with senior Erin Swenson and junior Christy Olin, NU should boast one of the top fly groups in the conference.
Swenson, Paglini, and freshman Ashley Welnhofer will lead the 'Cats in the 200 individual medley, while Barbary and Rose are expected to score well in the 400 IM.
Under the tutelage of fourth-year diving coach Tom Michael, Tierney believes the Wildcats will have the best duo they have ever had with junior Ashley Carter and freshman Leanne Dumais. Carter has been the Wildcats' best diver over the last two seasons and came close to qualifying for NCAA's last year. Dumais is an accomplished diver in the national club circut.
With all of the parts looking ready to go 100 percent, the Wildcats are ready to return as one of the most powerful machines in the Big Ten Conference.