Spring Break
ECU swimmers dive in this weekend
Sean Labar
Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: Sports
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The event has been an annual tradition since 1953, and will serve as a preview for coaches and fans alike, as to what will come this season.
"This is a pretty important meet for us, especially the freshman," said head coach Rick Kobe. "Your only as good as the talent of the freshman coming in…we only take so many people on the bus so we expect a lot of good races."
Confidence filled the voice of Kobe as he reiterated the importance of the purple/gold meet in preparation for the season opener against the powerhouse West Virginia next Saturday. West Virginia is tough competition for the Pirates, and certainly won't be a cakewalk.
Kobe admits that WVU is talented, but says that if ECU swims up to the team's potential, than they should have no problem claiming an early victory.
This weekend should help determine where the Pirates stand as they head into the meet with the Mountaineers.
"West Virginia is the best team on our schedule," said Kobe. "If we swim as fast as we're capable of swimming at that given time, than it is what it is."
Kobe linked the hopeful success of the upcoming season with the legendary winning reputation ECU swimming upholds. It is a winning tradition that is constantly preached, which keeps the swimmers both motivated and confident.
"Swimming has a very high standard and outstanding tradition," said Kobe. "We've won a ton of championships, we've been in three conferences [championships] since I have been here…we won all three. When freshmen come in here they realize they are part of upholding that tradition."
The team appeared well coached and disciplined at practice this week, as they prepared for the upcoming season.
After setting the all-time record for consecutive winning seasons for any team in ECU history last year, the team has the attitude and momentum to succeed once again.
Despite losing some key members from last year's squad, ECU plenty of experience returning this Fall. The returnees will also be joined by a slew of talented newcomers.
"We are very excited about the future of Pirate swimming and diving with this incredible group that will be joining us in the fall," Kobe said after signing his freshmen class. "This is a very talented group of divers and fast group of swimmers. They each have some very notable credentials and we expect each of them to have outstanding careers at ECU."
Senior captain Adam Papendick remained calm and focused while stretching after a long practice Wednesday afternoon. When asked about the possibility of going undefeated this season and performing even better than last year Papendick confidently replied, " There's always a shot."
Papendick and rest of the team will be on display at Minges Coliseum this Friday, starting at 3 p.m.
This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com
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