WAC champs get set for 2008 season
Nevada swimmer Courtney Eads competes in the women’s 200-yard individual medley on Saturday at the Lombardi Recreational Center pool. Eads was one of Nevada’s most reliable swimmers last season. Amber Restinen /Nevada Sagebrush
The Wolf Pack’s march toward a third consecutive Western Athletic Conference title began Saturday as the women’s swimming and diving team held their annual team time trials.
“The purpose of these trials is to get us a better idea of what kind of shape and condition the players are in before the actual season begins,” head coach Mike Richmond said.
The team trials will help get Nevada ready for its season opener Sept. 27 in the Blue and Silver intra-squad match held in Reno.
During the trials, the team was tested on all areas of swimming that are essential to succeed in the regular season. These areas were organized into six different events. Event one was the 200-yard freestyle; two, 100-yard butterfly; three, 100-yard backstroke; four, 200-yard individual medley (IM); five, 100-yard breaststroke and event six was the 100-yard freestyle.
Senior Courtney Eads was the front-runner at events one and six. She posted a time of 1:58.03 on event one and 55.36 on event six.
Kim Kabesh, 2006 WAC Freshman of the Year, topped event two at a time of 59:34.
Junior Summer Halwas-Morgan led the team in events three and four. She posted a winning time of 1:03.05 on event three and 2:15.50 on event four.
Margaret Doolittle, 2008 WAC Swimmer of the Year, posted a winning time of 1:06.66 on event five. Doolittle was also 2007 WAC Freshman of the Year.
“(The recognition) is great but it wouldn’t be nearly as great if I didn’t have the incredible support from my teammates,” Doolittle said.
This is Richmond’s ninth season with the Wolf Pack. He was the assistant coach his first eight seasons. Last season was his first as head coach.
“I think they’ve developed from a team to a family,” Richmond said. “It’s not so much as having more talent but just coming together and performing as a team.”
After being assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Valparaiso University, assistant coach Eric Skelly said he is excited to be here and is looking forward to this upcoming season.
“I’m excited to come here and try and help this team win,” Skelly said. “I’m the recruiting coordinator too so I’ll definitely try to bring some winning talent to this school.”
The team time trials are traditionally weeks before the regular season begins just to enable the coaches to condition the swimmers and prepare them for the long, grueling season.
Chris Gabriel can be reached at editor@nevadasagebrush.com.
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