Swimmers sink in opener

Oberlin swimming tasted the waters of defeat with their first meet last week against perennial powerhouse Denison. The Denison men dominated, winning 150-73, and the Denison women prevailed 130-86.

Despite these frustrating results, Oberlin swimming coach Dick Michaels expects a much improved team this year. After all, almost anything will be an improvement on previous years, with Oberlin finishing consistently at or near the bottom of the conference. However, with added depth, experience and some fast first-years, Oberlin swimmers have reason to be confident.

Michaels cited the women's team as especially strong, saying they are "far, far improved over previous years." Captains seniors Clara Stemwedel and Sara Titus as well as fellow seniors Lydia Bright and Julie Chor head the women's team. Seniors Jeremy Steinhauer and Matt Soellner are the men's captains.

The women's team has high expectations for the season, largely due to the presence of standout first-years. Celeste Mercer should be especially important to the team, judging from her debut collegiate meet, in which she broke the Oberlin record in the 100-meter backstroke that had stood previously for 20 years. Michaels speculated that Mercer could be Oberlin's first female all-American swimmer. Rebecca Ducore, who is close to the varsity record in the backstroke, Julia Handleman and Jessica Vermeulen round out the female first-year swimmers.

Michaels, who "has every expectation the women will exceed last place," seems especially gratified by the women's gradual ascent from previous years. Oberlin women, who have frequently placed last in the division in previous years, expect to be competative this year with conference foes Case Western, Wittenburg and Ohio Weslyan. Michaels said, "For the first time in a long time our women should finish above .500."

Stemwedel also sees the potential for an especially strong women's team. She cites 1994-'95 as a turning point in Oberlin swimming, as the men's and women's teams began swimming together, allowing them to become closer. Stemwedel points to a strengthened sense of unity since her first year; "My freshman year we were much more a group of individuals, not really a team."

Michaels sees the men's team as "a little weaker than last year. You just can't replace seniors with first-years."

A major impediment to the team is the loss of junior Paul Pitcher, out for the year due to shoulder surgery. However, junior John Limouze is expected to shine this year. Michaels anticipates Limouze to contend for the national title in the 200-meter butterfly, as much of his competition from last year has graduated.

"We're going to struggle this year. We had so many options last year. This year we're just not as versatile." In conference, the men hope to be very competitive with Case Western, Ohio Wesleyan, Wittenburg and Wooster.

The team has been practicing rigorously since September, and they hope the demanding training sessions will pay off in the form of some significant victories. Stemwedel hopes to win as many as five meets, but states the team is focusing primarily on excelling at the Conference meet. "Of course, some teams are a little out of our league," she said humbly, referring to the perennial powers Kenyon and Denison. She pointed to the Wittenberg meet as the yardstick of a breakthrough year. Oberlin has never beaten Wittenberg and is concentrating on this meet as a team goal.

"Everyone's goal is to enjoy themselves, and to win as many meets as is feasible for us, as well as being successful in conference," Stemwedel said. With the emergence of standout first-year women, as well as the continued domination of Limouze, the water may be the hottest place in Oberlin this winter.