The smell of chlorine is in the air. The flags are positioned above the water. The water is a cool 74 degrees and the University of Tampa swim team is ready to start a new season. Following a successful 2006-2007 season, the Spartans hope to improve on last year’s accomplishments. With many dual meet wins and high finishes in multiple invitationals last year, the team has grown significantly in depth as well as in size.
The team has more than 60 athletes, with swimmers coming from all over the country. The team is young, but there is much heart. More than half are returning swimmers looking for their chance to make nationals. There is even a handful of returning All-Americans looking for another chance to shine in the pool.
One returning national qualifier is sophomore Jessie Bardin. Bardin was the national champion in the 200-yard freestyle last year. This year she will be training to defend her title.
“I’m really looking forward to this year, and the competition that the other teams bring,” she said. Bardin will once again swim the 200, 500, and 1000-yard freestyle this year.
Ed Brennan has started his 28th year as head coach for the men and women’s team. He has high hopes for his team this year.
“We have the ability to make a big splash this year at nationals. We are looking to send a large group to represent Tampa, and hopefully get a top three finish,” he said. Brennan oversees every practice and every meet that takes place during the year.
This year, the Spartans will be competing in 12 dual meets across the state. The team competed in its first meet Oct. 13 against Florida Southern College. The Spartans came out victorious, with the women scoring 179 points to Southern’s 93 points. The men scored 195 to Southern’s 113, respectively.
The Spartans faced top-ranked Florida Atlantic University, Florida Gulf Coast University and Georgia Tech on Oct. 27. The Spartans came out on top last year with a 400-yard freestyle relay finish against FAU, and this year they faced off on FAU’s home turf. The Owls delivered a crushing blow to the Spartans, as FAU was victorious in all but two events on the men’s side, while the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets dominated the women’s side.
The Spartans will also face off with Indian River Community College once again on Nov. 10. Indian River is the top team in the NAIA, and has never lost a championship meet for the past 33 years. Last year UT failed to win against IRCC.
Tampa’s main focus of the year comes in February, in the form of the Sunshine State Conference meet. All the swimmers work toward qualifying for nationals at this meet. They face St. Leo University, Rollins College and Eckerd College. For some, this is just a short stop on the road to nationals.
“Anyone can be a good swimmer, but it takes a lot more to be great,” said Brennan. “I truly feel that this year’s team has what it takes.”
Waking up early and having late-night practices every day is not easy, but for the University of Tampa swim team, they are a must. They will be competing not just for wins or losses, but for their pride.