Swimming for success
James Calhoun, The Peak

Few sports at SFU are as demanding as swimming. Wrestling maybe. But that is the only one that compares. The amount of dedication that it takes to swim varsity, the beating their bodies take, and their record of performance is awe-inspiring. Doubt me?

Consider these facts for a moment: the swim team has an average of two practices a day, with only one day off a week. Each practice is two hours long, and right now they are swimming between six and seven kilometers a workout. That's 12 to 14 km a day (more for the "distance swimmers"), between 70 and 80 km a week. Most athletes on campus don't run 14 km a day, let alone swim that much -hell, I don't even drive that much. These stats don't even take into account the weight training, or the battery of situps and chinups that take place after practice. Remember those ads for the army?: "we get more done before nine a.m. than most people get done all day..." -that's the perfect motto for the swim team. How tough are these athletes? One of the swimmers from last year decided to stop swimming, so he "walked on" to the football team. And what does this incredible toll on their bodies get them, these swimmers? Championships. Twenty-two of them. Each practice takes place beneath the shadow of 22 championship banners, that remind these swimmers what is expected of them.

And who are they? Next time you see someone pass you on campus wearing a pair of swimming "greys," take another look. Chances are they are one of the fastest swimmers in the country. Notable among them is Ryan Laurin, the Canadian record holder in the 50 free. Laurin's record stands at 22.1 seconds. When Laurin gets going there is a wake that follows him, he's moving that fast.

There's also Sandy Henderson, likely the most diverse swimmer on the team, who has national level times in a half dozen events. Klaus Haertel, a finalist in the German nationals in the 200 fly, is also a force to be reckoned with, as is rookie Paul Wilkins, whom I've been told will be breaking records soon.

The women's team is also looking strong: Sarah Jung is a sprint freestyler who was ranked top 40 in the country a year ago, and has stepped up her game by finishing top 15 at summer nationals just a few months ago. She finished second at NAIA's in March in the 100 free by .2 of a second, and should win the event this year. Then of course there is two-time NAIA swimmer of the year Lisa Huffman, the most experienced swimmer on a relatively young team whose potential is enormous. Kas Stoody, the resident breaststroker, is poised to have a break-out year, as is the always impressive Jen Kasuya who should, nay, will win the 100 backstroke at NAIA's.

Speaking to head coach Liam Donnelly about this year's team, one notices the smirk on his face. "This is," he says of his swimmers, "the best attitude I've ever seen from a team. Everyone is serious and 100 per cent committed, because they know that if they want another championship it's going to take everyone's best effort."

Donnelly has altered the focus of the team this year, deciding to carry a smaller team (nine women, eight men), but concentrate his efforts and resources on those that perform. This strategy will bring in stronger swimmers to the program in both the short and long term, and will ensure that a few more championship banners grace the walls of the pool.

SFU swims against Central Washington on Nov. 9 in Washington.

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