Big East Women's Preview
February 14, 2012 07:39 PM | General
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – It is championship season for the WVU women’s swimming and diving team and there is only one thing on their mind – producing winning performances. With the help of their coach, Vic Riggs, the Mountaineer women are ready to take on all comers and record some fast times.
“Ultimately we are looking to improve upon what we did last year,” Riggs said. “Our freshmen class has added depth across the board and our medley relays are strong. We are looking to have some really good swims.”
This year the BIG EAST Championships are being held at Trees Pool in Pittsburgh, a venue the Mountaineers are very familiar with. The women have already competed there twice during the regular season, so it’s no surprise that Riggs believes his team will feel comfortable competing there.
“It’s a little bit of a comfort zone,” said Riggs. “I hate to say that about Pitt, but it’s nice that we don’t have to leave on Monday and we don’t have to sit on a five-hour bus ride. Pitt is a familiar place for us and we did well there two years ago. We’re going to leave Tuesday afternoon, swim for a bit and have a nice dinner.”
The championships officially begin for the women Wednesday evening with the 200 medley and 800 free relays.
“Our 800 free relay is very strong for our women and our 200 medley relay, with the addition of Jenelle (Zee) on the breaststroke, will be very strong as well,” said Riggs. “You get into a meet where relays become important things and that momentum can carry over to the next day.”
Speaking of Zee, she and fellow teammate Tierra Butkus are two of the freshmen Riggs was referring to when he mentioned depth. Zee is a talented breaststroker who Riggs feels will surprise the competition in the 100 and 200 breast. Butkus will be swimming the 50 free and adds depth to the backstroke events for the Mountaineers.
“I think Jenelle and Tierra are going to be a good example of kids that have worked harder than they ever have worked in their careers when they got here, “ said Riggs. “They have gotten some rest and now we will see what they can do.”
Zee and Butkus are not the only freshmen looking to make waves. Julie Ogden is a strong and talented butterflier who has helped create competition and adds depth in the fly events. Ogden will be competing against defending BIG EAST champion and WVU teammate Mandie Nugent in the fly events. Riggs says Nugent is going to have to step up her performance even more this year to keep her title.
“Right now she has some new stiff competition, not only from Julie, but a couple other girls from around the BIG EAST that are freshmen,” said Riggs. “They are coming in faster or as fast as she did when she came in as a freshman.”
Despite the competition, Riggs has no doubt Nugent is keeping her eye on the prize. Riggs describes her as the type of person that is self-motivated; he doesn’t need to speak with her to know what her goals are.
Also looking to do well again in the BIG EAST Championships is Danielle Smith. Last year as a freshman, Smith swam to a ninth-place finish in the 100 and 200 back. Riggs says this year she will be able to improve upon her performance.
“Coming out of high school I think there is a transition that all freshmen have to go through. For most people it is a process and she has done a really good job with that process. She did well last year but this year, I think the combination of the two years is coming together. She is going to do a really good job and I think she has the opportunity to put herself in a position to be a top-eight qualifier.”
Helping the women in the IM and breaststroke events will be Breanna McCann. Last year, McCann took second in the 200 IM, seventh in the 200 breast and 13th in the 100 breast. According to Riggs, she has had a great year and has trained really well.
“The 200 IM is going to be a really good event for her,” Riggs noted. “She is seeded with a nice time, so she will be competing with the girls she is going to want to compete with that night. Along with her 100 and 200 breast, we will see a good meet from her.”
It seems that Riggs has a talented team, but more so than that, he has faith that the women will put up some points and fight for a BIG EAST title.
“Ultimately we are looking to improve upon what we did last year,” Riggs said. “Our freshmen class has added depth across the board and our medley relays are strong. We are looking to have some really good swims.”
This year the BIG EAST Championships are being held at Trees Pool in Pittsburgh, a venue the Mountaineers are very familiar with. The women have already competed there twice during the regular season, so it’s no surprise that Riggs believes his team will feel comfortable competing there.
“It’s a little bit of a comfort zone,” said Riggs. “I hate to say that about Pitt, but it’s nice that we don’t have to leave on Monday and we don’t have to sit on a five-hour bus ride. Pitt is a familiar place for us and we did well there two years ago. We’re going to leave Tuesday afternoon, swim for a bit and have a nice dinner.”
The championships officially begin for the women Wednesday evening with the 200 medley and 800 free relays.
“Our 800 free relay is very strong for our women and our 200 medley relay, with the addition of Jenelle (Zee) on the breaststroke, will be very strong as well,” said Riggs. “You get into a meet where relays become important things and that momentum can carry over to the next day.”
Speaking of Zee, she and fellow teammate Tierra Butkus are two of the freshmen Riggs was referring to when he mentioned depth. Zee is a talented breaststroker who Riggs feels will surprise the competition in the 100 and 200 breast. Butkus will be swimming the 50 free and adds depth to the backstroke events for the Mountaineers.
“I think Jenelle and Tierra are going to be a good example of kids that have worked harder than they ever have worked in their careers when they got here, “ said Riggs. “They have gotten some rest and now we will see what they can do.”
Zee and Butkus are not the only freshmen looking to make waves. Julie Ogden is a strong and talented butterflier who has helped create competition and adds depth in the fly events. Ogden will be competing against defending BIG EAST champion and WVU teammate Mandie Nugent in the fly events. Riggs says Nugent is going to have to step up her performance even more this year to keep her title.
“Right now she has some new stiff competition, not only from Julie, but a couple other girls from around the BIG EAST that are freshmen,” said Riggs. “They are coming in faster or as fast as she did when she came in as a freshman.”
Despite the competition, Riggs has no doubt Nugent is keeping her eye on the prize. Riggs describes her as the type of person that is self-motivated; he doesn’t need to speak with her to know what her goals are.
Also looking to do well again in the BIG EAST Championships is Danielle Smith. Last year as a freshman, Smith swam to a ninth-place finish in the 100 and 200 back. Riggs says this year she will be able to improve upon her performance.
“Coming out of high school I think there is a transition that all freshmen have to go through. For most people it is a process and she has done a really good job with that process. She did well last year but this year, I think the combination of the two years is coming together. She is going to do a really good job and I think she has the opportunity to put herself in a position to be a top-eight qualifier.”
Helping the women in the IM and breaststroke events will be Breanna McCann. Last year, McCann took second in the 200 IM, seventh in the 200 breast and 13th in the 100 breast. According to Riggs, she has had a great year and has trained really well.
“The 200 IM is going to be a really good event for her,” Riggs noted. “She is seeded with a nice time, so she will be competing with the girls she is going to want to compete with that night. Along with her 100 and 200 breast, we will see a good meet from her.”
It seems that Riggs has a talented team, but more so than that, he has faith that the women will put up some points and fight for a BIG EAST title.
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