With a new coaching staff in place and a solid mixture of veterans and newcomers, the Seattle University women's swim team will start the 2011-12 campaign this weekend with back-to-back meets against Boise State and New Mexico in Boise, Idaho, this Friday and Saturday, Oct. 14-15.
Craig Nisgor was hired as the new head coach of the Redhawk swimming program over the summer, and the consistency he has brought to the Connolly Center Pool has been well received by the swimmers. Knowing what they will be doing on a day-to-day basis without too many surprises have led many of the swimmers to the best preseason of their careers.
"They are all hard workers, and they are putting in more work than they have in the past. A bunch of them are already swimming faster this early in the season than they ever have in their careers, even mid- to late-season in previous years. They have a great attitude as far as wanting to work. I am really happy with everything so far," Nisgor said.
Five swimmers who have already written their names in the Seattle U record book are back this season, led by seniors Hanna Basler (El Cajon, Calif.), Alexis Morehouse (Vancouver, Wash.), and Tina Nguyen (Hillsboro, Ore.). Juniors Rachel Leighter (Eugene, Ore.) and Marina Pomar-Enders (Mill Creek, Wash.) are the other record-holders who return for the Redhawks, but everyone on the team is looking forward to a positive season.
"The other returners have been coming up strong for us, plus we have six freshmen ready to go," said Nisgor. "We are looking good across the board, and I think the team is in good shape. We have had some great swims in recent practices. The girls are excited to start the season."
For Nisgor, the focus is on what the Redhawks can do, not where they rank compared to the other teams in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. The women's swim team finished eighth at last year's conference championships, but the swimmers feel that they will improve this season before moving on to the Western Athletic Conference.
The women will be competing almost every weekend of the season against schools such as Oregon State, Pacific, Fresno State, Air Force, Utah, and Nevada. There will be three home meets this season, starting with a competition against UC Davis and Idaho Saturday, Oct. 22. Boise State will come to Seattle for a morning meet Saturday, Nov. 19, and Simon Fraser and Washington State will make the trip to the Connolly Center Saturday, Jan. 21.
Real-time results are expected to be available for this weekend's meets at Boise State by going to the Broncos' athletic website at www.broncosports.com.