Coach Bill Snape reflects on the upcoming 2007-08 season
WASHINGTON, DC--The Gallaudet University Swim Team opens its
campaign with a home dual meet against tough Capital Athletic
Conference (CAC) foes Salisbury University and the University of
Mary Washington (defending conference champions for both men and
women) on Saturday October 27, 2007 at 1pm. What is
interesting about this meet, now a tradition, is that it gives the
more advanced Bison swimmers an early test of how good they truly
are, while testing the guts of all who venture into the dark blue
waters of the Field House against such stiff competition.
Since early September, approximately 25 young men and women and
have been trudging obediently into the Field House pool to swim at
least several miles per day, sometimes to run a few more miles, and
then adding various other dry-land exercises some are convinced
were created only to torture. Nonetheless, days away from
their first meet, despite recent midterm hysteria, the 2007-2008
brand of water buffalo is fit and ready to go.
Let's walk through the Gallaudet Swimming roster, starting with the
captains. On the ladies' side, the Aqua-Bison are led by
senior co-captain Kandace Morris and junior co-captain Marissa
Larson. Morris, in her third season as captain, has improved
greatly since her freshman year; she has placed individually at CAC
Championships and this past summer swam on the U.S. Deaf Swim Team
at World Championships. Larson is a rising star, who swam for
the U.S. at the Pan-Am Deaf Games in Venezuela in Summer
‘07. For the men, senior co-captain David Torres is
joined by third year swimmer Ryan Kobylarz, fresh off his World
Deaf Championship performance with Morris, sophomore Kris
Lauderbaugh, and freshman Carlisle Robinson.
Overall, it should be noted that this may be the best men's team in
Gallaudet history. These are bold words, the men are as deep
and strong as almost any team in the conference. In addition
to Torres, Kobylarz, and Lauderbaugh, the Gallaudet men are paced
by all-around star Michael Hubbs, who already holds several team
records, Indiana sprinters Ben Taylor and Clayton Anderson,
long-distance and fly specialist Scott Cohen, Individual Medley
(IM) swimmer Tyler DeShaw, the freshmen dynamic duo of Daniel
"Jersey" Didonna and Jimmy "Florida" McGowan, Shmuel Khorsandi
(back after a year-long hiatus), footballer Paul Donets, newcomer
Vincent DiMare, and last but certainly not least the stalwart
Joseph "Jojo" Lopez from sunny California.
As the men have become painfully aware, there is a new kid in town
and her name is Carlisle Robinson Like some of the Gallaudet
greats before her, women such as Stephanie Danner and Micki Poole
whose names still grace the record banner, Carlisle is tough, smart
and talented. Unlike others, Carlisle has the real chance, or
opportunity, to break team records in all four strokes plus the IM.
Two other key individuals for the women are junior Jodi Winkelmann
(backstroke, freestyle, IM) and sophomore transfer Katie Day
(freestyle, backstroke, IM). The question mark this
year for the Gallaudet women's swim team will be its depth after
the "Fab Five." Freshmen Kira Roberts and Trista Langford
have been consistently improving throughout the autumn, joined
recently by sophomore Cloe Canela. Sophomore fly specialist
Michelle Camara has been injured but appears back on track.
Freshman Misella Tomita, a potential walk-on find, will be out sick
for the first meet, and sophomore Kristen Dressler and junior Jenny
Cox will be on travel. Senior graduate student Shannon Swank
(backstroker and all-around swimmer extraordinaire) has been
consumed by school work recently, as have freshmen Victoria Flis
and Kelsey Gilstrap.
Coach Snape's prognosis for 2007-08: "We will break at least
ten team records. Our slower swimmers will improve the
most. We should exceed last year's win total (six). We
will have the most individual finalists at conference championships
ever. Our men's relays have a chance to be top 3 in
conference. I want at least one female relay record.
Our freshman class is very, very good. Our seniors could go
out the greatest if they put the work in. This will be an
exciting year!"
