Spring Break
Three times a charm for GWU
Sarajane Burroughs
Issue date: 3/3/06 Section: Sports
Gardner-Webb's swim team has just won its third straight Northeast Conference Championship. Coach Simpson says that the team swam fantastically at the conference meet and gives credit to several factors, senior leadership, tough competition all season, enjoying the challenge, as well as honoring the Lord in all they do.
Not only have they won this championship the last three years, but also it is the first three years that they have competed. "The NEC conference has allowed us as an outsider to come into their show, compete, and has not been anything but welcoming to our team. They could easily treat us as the enemy since we have won the first three seasons, but they have not done that in anyway. Part of that is a direct reflection of the women on this team, and how they represent GWU and Christ in all they do."
On top of winning the championship the team has had nine swimmers make the all-conference team: Seniors, Taylor Simpson, Sarah Mrazek, Kathryn Williams, Terra Wilson, sophomores, Whitney Hooley, Heather Roka, Grace Whiteside, Whitney Beachum, and freshman Kelly Gueltig. Terra Wilson was also named the conference swimmer of the year.
Seniors that will be leaving after this semester include, Lisa Fry, Taylor Simpson, Sarah Mrazek, Camille Palacio, Katie Peterson, Samantha Lehman, and April Savage. "This group scored almost 200 points in the conference meet, has probably a combined GPA of 3.7-3.8, and will truly make a positive difference in our world over the next few years." Says coach Simpson, "We have an outstanding senior class which will be hard to replace in the pool, but harder to replace for their character and leadership out of the pool."
Coach Simpson says that it is only satisfying to win if everyone swims well and that is what the team did! Speaking on coaching the swimmers Simpson says, "They are a very close-knit group that truly loves and supports each other through good times and bad. Coaching this team is a privilege, being around and working with them everyday is a blessing."
Not only have they won this championship the last three years, but also it is the first three years that they have competed. "The NEC conference has allowed us as an outsider to come into their show, compete, and has not been anything but welcoming to our team. They could easily treat us as the enemy since we have won the first three seasons, but they have not done that in anyway. Part of that is a direct reflection of the women on this team, and how they represent GWU and Christ in all they do."
On top of winning the championship the team has had nine swimmers make the all-conference team: Seniors, Taylor Simpson, Sarah Mrazek, Kathryn Williams, Terra Wilson, sophomores, Whitney Hooley, Heather Roka, Grace Whiteside, Whitney Beachum, and freshman Kelly Gueltig. Terra Wilson was also named the conference swimmer of the year.
Seniors that will be leaving after this semester include, Lisa Fry, Taylor Simpson, Sarah Mrazek, Camille Palacio, Katie Peterson, Samantha Lehman, and April Savage. "This group scored almost 200 points in the conference meet, has probably a combined GPA of 3.7-3.8, and will truly make a positive difference in our world over the next few years." Says coach Simpson, "We have an outstanding senior class which will be hard to replace in the pool, but harder to replace for their character and leadership out of the pool."
Coach Simpson says that it is only satisfying to win if everyone swims well and that is what the team did! Speaking on coaching the swimmers Simpson says, "They are a very close-knit group that truly loves and supports each other through good times and bad. Coaching this team is a privilege, being around and working with them everyday is a blessing."