East Carolinian

Issue date: 11/6/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: staff photo

Media Credit: Travis Bartlett

Coach Rick Kobe is confident and determined as the ECU swim team heads into the midpoint of its season with tough competition in the latter part of the schedule.

With a 9-2 overall record this season, the Pirates are defining themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming ACC and SEC conferences.

The Pirates won three of four dual meets last weekend, defeating Georgetown and Towson. At McCarthy pool against Georgetown, the Pirates set seven records, a feat that has never happened before at ECU's home pool.

"Setting those records was good for our team," said Kobe. "The wins over the weekend solidified the team's confidence."

Senior Amanda Duncan holds one of the three records set by the Pirates. Duncan teamed with Kelsey Brosi, Jessica Brinkley and Jenna Stewart to set the record in the 200-yard medley relay. Rachel Blue and Kali Gaskill then joined Duncan and Brosi in a record-setting 200-yard freestyle performance. Duncan then won the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 56.62.

The men dominated Georgetown and Towson. Sophomore Thiago Cavalcanti led the way with a record-breaking time of 1:43.03 in the 200-meter freestyle.

With an impressive meet now behind them, Kobe feels his team has good morale heading into a critical part of the season.

"We have been swimming really fast," said Kobe. "Everyone has been swimming great, even the freshmen have been a crucial part of the team this year."

Kobe considers a victory against the College of Charleston this weekend crucial as the team prepares to battle tough competition at the Gamecock Invitational in Columbia, S.C. the following weekend. The Invitational will host an experienced blend of nationally ranked teams coming from the ACC and SCC.

"We are excited about competing against those ACC and SEC teams," said Kobe. "Beating those nationally ranked teams would be great."

The outstanding start for the Pirates could prove to be the defining factor in predicting how the remainder of the season will play out. Kobe has high expectations for his team, and feels it carries the skill and maturity to compete with teams at any collegiate level.

"We feel like we can win every meet; they are all so big," he said. "We are pretty happy with losing just two…we are hoping to have the girls be 5-1 and the guys be 6-1."

For the Pirate swim team, a long, tough road is ahead, a challenge that Kobe is ready to face head on.



This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.

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