We have been able to kick off the swim season in some great ways. Ranger Day is an event unlike any other that I have experienced. Doing partner wheelbarrow races, climbing ropes, push-ups, sit-ups, chugging gatorades as part of competition, and the like. I couldn’t think of a better weekend. As a freshman, I was able to learn more about members of the team, and a bit more what Wabash swimming is all about. Everyone was so competitive but encouraging at the same time. I can also say that the team has definitely found the perfect balance of having fun while working your butt off. I really enjoy the rope climbing competition because the first day I was here, I couldn’t climb the rope to save my life and after two weeks I was able to hang from the rafters. However, my favorite of the competitions was chugging gatorades at the end of a race to determine the final victor of that particular competition. That legacy of chugging juices and waters all started for me at Cooks Corners Elementary School at lunch with small bottles of Sunny Delight. I was timed every day to see how fast I could drink it, and I secretly carry on that tradition today.

After spending time with these guys in the pool, seeing how tough they are and how much of a beating they could take, I was able to sit down and talk to many of them over the breaks at Ranger Day. I realized then how smart they all are. I have never seen so many talented, hard working athletes with intelligence in one place. It is a pretty cool setting.

We have begun morning practices as we kick off the season. Let me take a moment to say that 5:45 A.M. has never seen such awesome people kicking around water at any other moment of that time’s existence. I personally enjoy morning practices, and this team makes it even better. The more time I spend around these guys, the more I love them. Coach Weitz is also a very exciting part of the year. He has a very different training style, a style that I can’t wait to expand on! I’m really excited about that. (I was able to maintain a good kick throughout my stroke for years. After a few unfortunate events, I lost the ability to kick efficiently with my arms moving. Two years and one morning practice later, that kick is about back.) My entire life has been an epic battle with a stroke known as breaststroke. I still may not be able to swim the stroke quite yet, but at least after about five minutes of Coach Weitz talking, I finally understand the concept of the stroke. The words shotgun and butterfly used to describe breaststroke clicked with me after about 13 years of nothing. With the stuff we do at practice and how easy it seems to get better while getting faster at swimming, I don’t know how I could want to miss another practice (and I mean what I say). I am very excited about the year and hope to do Wabash proud. The biggest thing I know is that Wabash Always Fights!

I think I am beginning to realize what it means to be a Wabash student. There is no time to complain, nor is there a reason to. I don't hear many people complain at all (except us freshmen who are adjusting to the new lifestyle). As a teacher stated in one of my classes, "I have never heard of students bragging about how much time they spent studying for a class or how late they've stayed up to study." Wabash is an entirely different animal. Seeing how the upperclassmen deal with it makes me excited to be a part of the process because I see that I could become like them in that regard.

Looking forward to a great season both in the classroom and in the pool!

Eric

Posted by Kyle Dunaway at 03:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This past weekend, the guys kicked off the 2007-2008 season with another successful team Ranger Day. On-campus events included a pull-up competition, the rope climb, diving competition, an underwater/over-water relay, and a team relay. From there, we carpooled to Danville, IL for our off-campus events at the famous Rokosch Farm/Hunting Lodge—events included a canoe race, accuracy toss, wheelbarrow race, an obstacle course and skeet shooting. I must say, watching these guys compete in friendly competition, supporting one another, formulating new relationships through hard work and determination is one of the most rewarding experiences as a coach. Highlights and pictures are below!

• Competition—This team definitely does not lack the desire to compete; although it was a close battle for the top four spots, the level of competition top to bottom was top notch; although the Red team came up victorious overall, our individual team champions were:

    • 1st Place—‘Scruff ‘n Curls’ (JordOn Blackwell ‘09 / Matt Routh ‘10)

    • 2nd Place—‘Team DANGG’ (Philip Towne ‘10 / Eric Vaughn '11)

    • 3rd Place—‘Rule #76’ (Steve Zajac '10 / Paul Wilson '10)

• Camaraderie—One of the highlights here had to be when freshman Adam Current was attempting his portion of the diving competition and the guys chanted ‘Wabash Always Fights’ in an effort to encourage his completing the dive; the numerous times guys were encouraging one another, sharing stories of events that happened in the past (Hugh!), and sitting by the fire also enabled these guys to come together as a group

• Overcoming Fears—I think about junior Jordan Extine attempting a back dive off the 3-Meter board and how you could see every beat of his heart right before he attempted his dive—his hands shaking, his body trembling; I also think about the guys that were so determined to make it to the top of the rope climb, grabbing onto the rafters for the extra bonus points before noticing how high up there trip down to the water would be

• Fun—Highlights here had to be when senior Aaron Spolarich and junior Jordan Extine overturned their canoe and were forced to swim their canoe to the finish line; right as they initiated their tipping, the team of Chad Woods and David Birrer (both freshmen) also flipped their canoe; it ended up being a muddy race to the finish as the canoes quickly became very difficult to lift out of the water as they trudged through the muddy shore

Needless to say, we have the pieces of the puzzle that every great team needs in order to be successful. With our season in full swing now, it is up to each one of us to try and put the pieces of the puzzle together to reach our fullest potential and accomplish all of our goals...

Posted by Kyle Dunaway at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Adam Current '11

Well, the long awaited years of college have begun. Whether you are in the halls of a dormitory or the brotherhood of a fraternity, all of us freshman are busily trying to adjust to the new pace of Wabash life. And THANK GOD our college years are at Wabash. I prefer the classes here of 15-30 compared to a 400-person lecture at Purdue, like most of my high school friends…

I stress 'a whole new ball game' because of my experiences thus far. For the first time in my life I have to take full responsibility for my actions like an adult. The days of 'structured' schedules and not trying in class are now a distant memory as now it is all about time management and giving an extraordinary amount of effort: things I am used to, but not to this magnitude! No longer am I the 'top dog' in the swim program, but now I am the freshman struggling to keep up with the upperclassmen. And to top it all off, I am busy trying to strengthen a weakened shoulder due to a work-related injury this past summer.

I knew going into Wabash that I would be somewhat clueless, but now I truly understand what it means to be clueless at times. New words like 'Prof,' Monon Bell, meal plan, and worst of all, the workforce or grad-school have entered my vocabulary. The long feared thought of 'what I want to do with my life' has now entered my thoughts as well. But all of this new pressure aside, I still have an extraordinarily fulfilling four years ahead.

Besides swimming, I am also going to be involved with the Brass Ensemble and the Wabash Christian Men. I hope that these groups help accent the already great liberal arts education by giving me strengthened disciplines other than academics and sports. Where else can you find a college that offers not only a good education, but also the chance at so many recognized extra-curricular programs that may make a student stand out in his own way? The only answer in my mind seems to be Wabash. I think I am in the right place.

But still all of that aside, I find myself in 'a whole new ball game' that offers much growing up to do in the next four years. Do I feel ready to step up to the plate and hit away the ball of adversity with the bat of determination? Of course! I have been ready for this ball game all of my life and now it is time to finally step up and hit away!

Posted by Kyle Dunaway at 01:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)