2008 Woodie Awards
Swimmers look to bounce back in '07
By: Matt Grover
Issue date: 2/22/07 Section: Sports
Throughout its season, the Webster swim team was forced to compete with six women on the women's team and only four guys on the men's team. The small roster made it difficult for the Gorloks to go up against opponents such as Lindenwood University, which has nearly 100 people in its swim program.
With the odds against them, Webster swim team members had to focus less on winning championships and more on improving individual times and giving a maximum effort every time they jumped into the pool. The Gorloks were rewarded for their hard work with a second place finish in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship meet Feb. 3.
Any momentum the Gorloks gained from their strong showing in the SLIAC Championship didn't follow the team to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Feb. 15 through 17 for the Liberal Arts Invitational, Webster's last meet of the season.
Only nine swimmers competed for Webster in the invitational. The men's team ended its season with an eighth place finish out of 10 male teams in the tournament. The women's team came in 11th out of 13 teams. Luther College, from Decorah, Iowa, took home the championship for both sexes.
Despite the dismal finish, the weekend wasn't a total wash for the Gorlok swimmers. Sophomore Adam Rafferty said the team practiced its season-long mantra of dedication and perseverance.
"Everyone did everything they could," Rafferty said.
The highlight for the Gorloks was team captain senior Josie Muhm. Muhm won the Gorloks' only medal in the Liberal Arts tournament by finishing in the top eight in the women's 200-yard butterfly event. It was Muhm's final appearance for Webster.
"It was my last meet and my last chance," Muhm said. "I was glad I was able to pull it off."
While Muhm is leaving, the rest of the swim team is set to return next season. Rafferty said having almost everybody return with more experience will help the Webster swim team improve.
"This year was a great rebuilding year," Rafferty said. "Next year, I think we're going to be better."
Among the key Gorloks returning will be all four members of the men's team - Rafferty, junior Zach Olson, and freshmen Nick Beckmann and Tyler Fitzpatrick.
The notable returnees on the woman's side include sophomore Emily Pfund and freshmen Leah Bend, Kristin Fey and Kasper Woldtvedt.
If the Gorloks are going to improve, they will need more swimmers to join the team. Head Coach Tim Lombardo is actively recruiting high school swimmers in hopes of bringing them to Webster. Lombardo could not be reached for comment.
"Hopefully, next year we'll have a bigger team and be able to contend with some of the bigger schools," Rafferty said.
With the odds against them, Webster swim team members had to focus less on winning championships and more on improving individual times and giving a maximum effort every time they jumped into the pool. The Gorloks were rewarded for their hard work with a second place finish in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship meet Feb. 3.
Any momentum the Gorloks gained from their strong showing in the SLIAC Championship didn't follow the team to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Feb. 15 through 17 for the Liberal Arts Invitational, Webster's last meet of the season.
Only nine swimmers competed for Webster in the invitational. The men's team ended its season with an eighth place finish out of 10 male teams in the tournament. The women's team came in 11th out of 13 teams. Luther College, from Decorah, Iowa, took home the championship for both sexes.
Despite the dismal finish, the weekend wasn't a total wash for the Gorlok swimmers. Sophomore Adam Rafferty said the team practiced its season-long mantra of dedication and perseverance.
"Everyone did everything they could," Rafferty said.
The highlight for the Gorloks was team captain senior Josie Muhm. Muhm won the Gorloks' only medal in the Liberal Arts tournament by finishing in the top eight in the women's 200-yard butterfly event. It was Muhm's final appearance for Webster.
"It was my last meet and my last chance," Muhm said. "I was glad I was able to pull it off."
While Muhm is leaving, the rest of the swim team is set to return next season. Rafferty said having almost everybody return with more experience will help the Webster swim team improve.
"This year was a great rebuilding year," Rafferty said. "Next year, I think we're going to be better."
Among the key Gorloks returning will be all four members of the men's team - Rafferty, junior Zach Olson, and freshmen Nick Beckmann and Tyler Fitzpatrick.
The notable returnees on the woman's side include sophomore Emily Pfund and freshmen Leah Bend, Kristin Fey and Kasper Woldtvedt.
If the Gorloks are going to improve, they will need more swimmers to join the team. Head Coach Tim Lombardo is actively recruiting high school swimmers in hopes of bringing them to Webster. Lombardo could not be reached for comment.
"Hopefully, next year we'll have a bigger team and be able to contend with some of the bigger schools," Rafferty said.
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