Sports
Athletes of the Week: Women’s Swimming Relay Team
By Becca Hazlett '13, Sports Columnist
March 29, 2012
The Hamilton women’s swim team had quite the showing at this year’s NCAA Championships in Indiana, where they finished in 14th place.
The relay team, comprised of top swimmers Maggie Rosenbaum ’14, Joanie Burton ’13, Gabrielle Goione ’12 and Megan Gibbons ’12, made the trek to Indianapolis to compete against the best Division III swimmers in the country. They competed in the 200 medley relay and the 200 freestyle relay. Rosenbaum and Gibbons also competed in individual races.
The team’s 200 medley relay time of 1:47.44 placed them in 17th; they missed competing in the consolation finals by just .09 seconds. Their 200 free relay finished in 21st with a time of 1:38.02; they needed a time of 1:37.44 to qualify for the consolation finals. Gibbons commented on just how close all the races are at NCAAs:
“Entering this meet you have to realize that everyone that makes it to nationals is great, and you’re just as good as anyone else on that pool deck. The competition is all fast, and every race is incredibly close. Tenths and hundredths of seconds separate everyone, so it can go any which way.”
Unfortunately it did not go Hamilton’s way, but the team was still incredibly proud of their efforts. As Burton explained, “The races went well, and although we didn’t come back in the relays, I was pleased with our performances. We went out and gave everything we had.”
The girls have been training for their races over the past month. When most of the winter athletes had finished their seasons and were planning for spring break, these four swimmers had to be preparing for NCAAs. Each of the relay members said they practiced their individual part of the relay many times before the meet and made sure their transitions were spot on.
“Since NESCACs we have all been in the pool training to prepare for NCAAs,” said Goione. “I’ve been just enjoying the ride since I’m a senior and knew that nationals would be my last meet. It was a fun ending to a long career.” Gibbons, Burton and Rosenbaum also said that relaxing and having fun with the races was a key point in preparation.
After all, not many people can say they have had the chance to compete in a NCAA Championship.
When asked about the environment in Indiana, all the girls made a reference to the energy and intensity in the building
“The environment of NCAAs is unlike any other,” commented Rosenbaum.
The girls all agreed that the trip to NCAAs was an incredible experience to be a part of, especially with three close friends. As Rosenbaum explained, “We had a great time, and I was so happy to be there with three such amazing women.”
Both senior swimmers Gibbons and Goione were incredibly happy with how things played out and with the time they had with their teammates in their final meet. These seniors’ contributions to the swim program will be sorely missed.