What does the DePauw rivalry mean to you?
VS. 
This week is a big week for us in the pool. Not only do we have our annual battle with the DePauw Tigers on Friday evening (7:00PM/at DePauw), but we come home to face DII powerhouse--University of Indianapolis--Saturday afternoon for another battle in the Class of 1950 Natatorium (1:00PM/Senior Day). Although having two tough meets back-to-back sets us up very nicely to compete at a high level at our conference championship meet, it is always a challenge to face your biggest rival one day and follow that with another highly contested opponent the very next day.
In talking with some of the guys and other coaches this past weekend, the topic of the Wabash-DePauw rivalry was top of mind. Every year when we compete against DePauw, countless stories are shared by alumni and former coaches about what the rivalry has meant to them over the years, what crazy things may have happened in the past and it is so awesome to see how passionate we are here at Wabash about the (friendly) rivalry.
Having a rivalry as strong as Wabash vs. DePauw has enabled this community to come together in all sports, to root for one another, to cheer for fast times and good races. But more importantly, this rivalry provides us with the opportunity to share in our experiences long past this season and even graduation. You won’t always remember how fast you went in every event. You won’t always remember race strategy or how your teammates fared in similar situations. You will, however, remember the times when you came together as a unit, as a family, to compete against your biggest rival. You will remember the nervous energy you have before the meet or before your races, you might remember a big swim or two by one of your teammates (or yourself), the wins and losses…but it’s the idea of a rivalry that allows us to share in such memories.
We are encouraging anyone that would be interested in sharing memories of the Wabash-DePauw rivalry to do so as a ‘Comment’ to this blog entry. It does not necessarily have to be specific to our sport, but it gives all of us the opportunity to hear what this rivalry means to you.
So, what do you remember most about the rivalry between Wabash and DePauw or what does the rivalry mean to you?
Come support your swimmers and divers on Friday!
Comments
As a former Wabash swimmer, I now am a proud parent of a swimmer. My son, Jeremy competes at the High School level, swimming for the National Champion New Trier Trevians in Winnetka, Illinois. When I watch what he and his teammates are doing this time of year, putting in two a days plus dry land, on top of working hard on his academics, I am reminded of those long hard winter days at Wabash. Jeremy's team just trounced their rival, Evanston High School in a dual meet this past weekend. He set a PR in the 500.
I know from experience and from watching my son, that you guys are some of the hardest working, most diligent, and committed student athletes around. I commend you for your efforts, and thank Wabash for the life lessons it taught me, and that I am hopefully passing on to my son:
As you go into your dual with DePauw, keep your head down and focus on your lane. Tend to your job at hand, and don't get distracted by others in the pool. At the end of every race, celebrate your successes as a team, and challenge each other to excel. Be diligent in your preparation, and constant in your commitment. Bring home victory; settle for nothing less!
Go Little Giants!
Posted by: Randy Williams | January 22, 2008 12:21 PM
Best of luck this week against Depauw. Take nothing for granted, fight for every inch of every yard; and remember that heart, perserverance, and determination win in the last 2 yards of a race, not talent. I'm looking forward to watching you guys go into Greencastle and demonstrate the dedication and passion for excellence that define what it means to be a Wabash man and to see a second consecutive Wabash victory! Wabash Always Fights! Steve Birrer '04
Posted by: Steve Birrer '04 | January 22, 2008 12:24 PM
Whether I was in high school or college, rivalry meets always brought out the best swims in me.
I remember my sophomore year (92-93), we swam DePauw twice in dual meets. That year was at the pinnacle of coach Pebworth's string of undefeated seasons, a year that saw us defeat the mighty Fighting Irish at the Notre Dame Relays and finish eighth in the country at NCAAs.
DePauw never stood a chance against us that year. We beat them by like 90 or 100 points at both dual meets. It almost made you feel sorry for them... But not really.
Anyway, at the second dual meet of that year, we were up by 100 points or whatever going into the last relay. I was anchor on the "C" 400 freestyle relay. I remember it had to be the "C" relay, because we were in lane 1. (We only had six lanes in those days). The last guy in DePauw's "B" relay had a good lead on me -- I'd say a little more than a third of a pool's length, but not quite half the pool. I dove in with one thought: Get him.
I reached the first turn, and his lead had dwindled to maybe two body lenghts. I flipped with one thought: Get him.
By the time we completed a 50, his lead was down to maybe one body length, and I had one thought: Get him.
By the third turn, was just inches ahead of me, and I had one thought: I've got this clown.
I hammered down the homestretch and touched the wall ahead of him, turning in the fastest relay split in my life. I was so psyched.
The outcome of that race didn't even matter in terms of the final outcome. We thumped the Tigers in terms of the team score, and my relay (fourth place) didn't even score. It was simply a matter of pride to beat that guy and the other relay.
I tell you all this story for two reasons. First, it's these kinds of races you'll remember 15 years down the road. Have fun with it!
Second, don't be afraid to let these rivalries spur you on to new levels of excellence. Look at that guy next to you in the black and gold cap Friday and think one thing: Get him!
Wabash Always Fights!
Posted by: Jim Rusnak | January 22, 2008 12:55 PM
Hi guys!! Best of luck in your meets this weekend!! Swim fast and have fun!! Doc
Posted by: Don Rokosch | January 22, 2008 01:19 PM
Beating Depauw is the greastest event that can happen in your swimming career. It was even better than finishing in the top 10 at Nationals. I will always remember never losing to Depauw as the highlight of my swimming career. Good luck and God bless.
Posted by: Andy Luckey, Class of 1993 | January 24, 2008 08:47 AM