Whether teammates are in the heat of the season or training in the offseason, the swim team works hard around the clock. With demanding practice schedules and intense workouts, the life of a swimmer at UT is certainly not easy. The Spartan swimmers are constantly striving to improve and often aren’t merited for their dutiful work––which is why as a staff we’ve picked them as our favorite sports team.
“For the most part our teams are students first. We have very limited scholarships so my staff and I work hard to bring in students who qualify for our highest academic scholarships,” Coach Ed Brennan said. “We do our level best to encourage our kids to be good citizens of the university community too.”
Being strong in both academics and athletics shows the values that UT appreciates from its athletes. Academics are an important part in every athletic team at UT. We pride ourselves for
having these strong academic sports teams like the swim team.
“We are structured and take not only swimming seriously, but also school,” said Runar Borgen, a sophomore. “Both the men and women ́s team are top 10 in the nation academically.”
Along with being ranked nationally in academics, the swim teams are also successful when competing. The women’s team, who just recently won the SSC Championship, have been working and training hard all year for this title win.
“Winning conference was an amazing experience especially because it was in the same pool my brothers and I swam many meets throughout our swimming careers,” said senior Catherine Parker. “I had my final high school meet at that pool, and it’s where I’ve set my final records with my high school and college teammates. It was like a chapter closing in my life, swimming
in Orlando. It was really special for my parents and myself.”
This win led them, along with the men’s swim team, to the NCAA tournament in Ohio. Halfway through the NCAA tournament, the men were ranked seventh.
They earned the bronze medal after the first 200 free relay event and also earned an All-American performance in the 400 Medley Relay. On top of that, two of the Spartan women placed in the 200 free.
After the conclusion of the NCAA tournament, the men’s team finished ninth and the women’s team finished 21st.
“Any time we finish in the top 10 I have to be pleased, but in 45 years of professional coaching, there haven’t been more than a half dozen times when I felt we did everything right,” Coach Brennan said.
The swim team exemplifies the values UT looks for in its athletes. It competes at a high level and is always consistent.
Paige Shallcross can be reached at paige.shallcross@spartans.ut.edu.