Women’s Swimming: Ohio State Kicks Off Season Against Kenyon Saturday – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/30/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swim & Dive
COLUMBUS, Ohio The Ohio State women’s swimming team kicks off the regular season on Saturday, November 1 against Division III powerhouse Kenyon College. The co-ed meet begins at 1 p.m. at McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion.
SCARLET & GRAY MEET
The Buckeyes held their annual Scarlet & Gray meet on Friday at McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion. The Scarlet women edged out the Gray, 139-120.
The Scarlet team was led by junior Haley Mitchell, who captured wins in the 100-yard backstroke and the 500 freestyle. Sophomore Samantha Cheverton and freshman Lisa Narum came away with two wins each for Gray. Cheverton touched the wall first in the 200 freestyle and 200 backstroke, while Narum won the 100 freestyle and 200 individual medley.
KENYON COLLEGE LORDS
The Kenyon College Lords picked up their 22nd NCAA title in the past 25 years last March. The team finished with 566.5 points and was over 200 points ahead of second-place finisher Amherst.
The Lords finished second at the North Coast Athletic Conference Relays Saturday. Sophomore Lauren Brady was a part of four first-place finishing teams, while senior Elizabeth Carlton swam in three.
2007-08 SEASON RECAP
Ohio State finished the 2007-08 season with a 6-5 overall dual meet record and went 1-2 against Big Ten schools. The Buckeyes placed eighth at the Big Ten championships and, led by a strong diving team, placed 15th at the NCAA championships. The McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion hosted both the 2008 Big Ten and NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships.
A GREAT YEAR FOR DIVING
The Ohio State diving team closed out the season as one of the top diving squads in the Big Ten. Junior Chelsea Davis and freshmen Bianca Alvarez and Kristen Asmen went 9-1 on the one-meter and 10-0 on the three-meter during the dual meet season. All three earned All-America honors at the NCAA championship with Davis winning a national title on the three-meter springboard.
KEY RETURNERS
Last year’s young squad returns a solid group of now experienced competitors. Sophomore Samantha Cheverton earned an NCAA “A” qualifying time in the 200 backstroke and competed at the NCAA championships in that event. In total, six Buckeye swimmers tallied NCAA “B” cut times in their respective events. The times were established by juniors Colleen Schweitzer, Haley Mitchell and Jill Lockhart, and sophomores Cheverton, Katelyn Brix and Anita Beck.
HEAD COACH BILL DORENKOTT
In April, Bill Dorenkott was named the head coach of the Ohio State women’s swimming program. He arrived at Ohio State after serving as head coach of the Penn State women’s team for the past 10 years and its men’s team for seven years. Dorenkott has coached the Penn State women to Big Ten Conference championships in 2002, 2005 and 2006. He has coached 27 different student-athletes to 32 Big Ten individual championships and has had a total of 57 swimmers qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials over the years.
On coming to Ohio State, Dorenkott said, “I noticed the pride in the program and I saw the pride within the state in the program. I view this as a terrific opportunity for both me and my family.”
DIVING COACH VINCE PANZANO
Vince Panzano, in his 31st season at Ohio State, is considered as one of the most highly respected diving coaches in the world. Panzano has produced one world champion, one junior world champion, two Olympic medalists, 22 U.S. diving champions, 12 NCAA champions, 16 NCAA runners-up, 54 Big Ten champions and 75 All-Americans. Panzano also has coached Ohio State and McDonald’s Diving to six national team titles. Panzano and Ohio State have had divers on five of the last six Olympic Teams. Among his many accolades, he has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year nine times and NCAA Diving Coach of the Year four times, including the 2008 women’s Coach of the Year.
NEW LOOKS
Joining first-year Ohio State head coach Bill Dorenkott are two new assistants. Acting as assistant coach is Stefanie Williams. Williams came to Ohio State after serving as assistant coach at the University of Missouri. She was a four-time NCAA national champion and 24-time All-American swimmer at Georgia and graduated from there in 2003.
Also assisting the program is graduate assistant coach Susan Johnson, who swam competitively at and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin.
The Buckeyes added five freshmen to the squad this season. Catherine Eitel, Erin Fawley and Jenna Hillier hail from Ohio, while Lisa Narum and Natalie Nichols are California natives.
UP NEXT
The Buckeyes host Cincinnati on Friday, Nov. 7, at McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion. The co-ed meet begins at 6 p.m.
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