Big East Men's Preview
February 15, 2012 10:38 AM | General
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The WVU men’s swimming and diving team has been working hard all season and it’s time to put that hard work to the test as they begin their pursuit for one of the top spots at the 2012 BIG EAST Championships in Pittsburgh.
“It doesn’t matter where, but once you get to a championship meet, the environment creates itself,” said Coach Vic Riggs. “Having all the teams from the BIG EAST competing and setting themselves up for making NCAA cuts makes a big difference on the competition.”
It is important for the men to prepare in the preliminary swims, as that is when the finals field will be set, and it is also important for them to wake up prepared to face the competition if they wish to advance.
“You have to be in the right place and have to take advantage of that opportunity in the morning,” Riggs explained. “We want to make sure the kids seeded in the top 16 make it back. To do so, you have to be able to swim in the morning. We always look at our morning swims as the most important.”
Riggs has high expectations for the men in many different events, including the sprint freestyle events. Tim Squires, Brad Eichenseer and Taylor Camp are a few Riggs expects to do well.
“Damion (Dennis) has done a great job with that group this season,” Riggs said. “Those guys are swimming faster now than they were at this point last year. We have got five of the top 16 100 freestylers in the BIG EAST. That goes for a strong finish on Saturday night. The 50 free and the 100 free could be big point gainers for us.”
As for the distance freestylers, that is an area that Riggs is looking to continue growing in the coming years. These events include the 200 free, 500 free and the mile. Riggs says a lot of pressure is being put on the guys competing in those events.
“We have some potential in the 200 free with Nathan Cobbe and Hugh Simmonds,” said Riggs. “We will see what Daeton Davenport can do, and what improvements Jake Querciagrossa and Eric Johnson have made in the 500 free from last year.”
Along with the sprint freestyle events, Riggs has faith in his backstrokers. Jared Goldthorpe was able to put points on the board for the Mountaineers in 200 back last year. This year, Goldthorpe has left the team to train for the Olympic trials and his spot is being filled by Bryce Bohman.
“Obviously with Jared in Australia training for their Olympic Trials, it is a little bit of a hiccup,” said Riggs. “But Bryce’s 50 and 100 back are faster than Jared’s, which is an improvement from last year. I think Bryce has some pretty lofty goals. He has one of the top times in the BIG EAST this season.”
According to Riggs, the Mountaineers have plenty of depth in the backstroke events that can help add points to the team score. Additional points could also come in the butterfly events as well. Of those competing in the fly events is Camp, who looks to defend his BIG EAST Champion title in the 100 fly.
“His 100 fly has become a better event for him over the last couple seasons, “Riggs noted. “It helps to have a Brandon Carr and Brad Eichenseer, who can do the 100 fly rested. Bryce also has a decent 100 fly, so to have those guys push each other throughout the season has helped. I think we might see something good out of Taylor’s 200 fly as well.”
Riggs is looking to Jack Greenhalgh to hold his own in the breaststroke events. With the addition of Chris Brill, Riggs was able to add another quality swimmer to these events as well.
“Obviously we are looking to have Jack step up,” said Riggs. “Right now, he has put himself in the situation to go into BIG EAST with some big expectations. Anything can happen when you put a kid into those situations, and that is when you sometimes got those swims that the athletes themselves didn’t believe they could do.”
However, Riggs believes the key to the men’s success lies in the relays. He, along with the other coaches, are still working on some last minute decisions but Riggs feels the relays have the potential to be outstanding this weekend.
“I think the 200 and 400 free relays have potential to be BIG EAST champion relays,” Riggs said. “Those boys need to come together and make that a priority for themselves. In the medley, we have Bryce Bohman at back, Tim Squires in the freestyle and Taylor Camp and Jack Greenhalgh in the middle of those relays. We feel really good about what the relays can do for us this year.”
With the overwhelming amount of talented competition participating in this year’s BIG EAST Championships, the WVU men will have to bring their “A” game. It’s evident that Riggs has confidence that his team is ready and willing to do that.
“It doesn’t matter where, but once you get to a championship meet, the environment creates itself,” said Coach Vic Riggs. “Having all the teams from the BIG EAST competing and setting themselves up for making NCAA cuts makes a big difference on the competition.”
It is important for the men to prepare in the preliminary swims, as that is when the finals field will be set, and it is also important for them to wake up prepared to face the competition if they wish to advance.
“You have to be in the right place and have to take advantage of that opportunity in the morning,” Riggs explained. “We want to make sure the kids seeded in the top 16 make it back. To do so, you have to be able to swim in the morning. We always look at our morning swims as the most important.”
Riggs has high expectations for the men in many different events, including the sprint freestyle events. Tim Squires, Brad Eichenseer and Taylor Camp are a few Riggs expects to do well.
“Damion (Dennis) has done a great job with that group this season,” Riggs said. “Those guys are swimming faster now than they were at this point last year. We have got five of the top 16 100 freestylers in the BIG EAST. That goes for a strong finish on Saturday night. The 50 free and the 100 free could be big point gainers for us.”
As for the distance freestylers, that is an area that Riggs is looking to continue growing in the coming years. These events include the 200 free, 500 free and the mile. Riggs says a lot of pressure is being put on the guys competing in those events.
“We have some potential in the 200 free with Nathan Cobbe and Hugh Simmonds,” said Riggs. “We will see what Daeton Davenport can do, and what improvements Jake Querciagrossa and Eric Johnson have made in the 500 free from last year.”
Along with the sprint freestyle events, Riggs has faith in his backstrokers. Jared Goldthorpe was able to put points on the board for the Mountaineers in 200 back last year. This year, Goldthorpe has left the team to train for the Olympic trials and his spot is being filled by Bryce Bohman.
“Obviously with Jared in Australia training for their Olympic Trials, it is a little bit of a hiccup,” said Riggs. “But Bryce’s 50 and 100 back are faster than Jared’s, which is an improvement from last year. I think Bryce has some pretty lofty goals. He has one of the top times in the BIG EAST this season.”
According to Riggs, the Mountaineers have plenty of depth in the backstroke events that can help add points to the team score. Additional points could also come in the butterfly events as well. Of those competing in the fly events is Camp, who looks to defend his BIG EAST Champion title in the 100 fly.
“His 100 fly has become a better event for him over the last couple seasons, “Riggs noted. “It helps to have a Brandon Carr and Brad Eichenseer, who can do the 100 fly rested. Bryce also has a decent 100 fly, so to have those guys push each other throughout the season has helped. I think we might see something good out of Taylor’s 200 fly as well.”
Riggs is looking to Jack Greenhalgh to hold his own in the breaststroke events. With the addition of Chris Brill, Riggs was able to add another quality swimmer to these events as well.
“Obviously we are looking to have Jack step up,” said Riggs. “Right now, he has put himself in the situation to go into BIG EAST with some big expectations. Anything can happen when you put a kid into those situations, and that is when you sometimes got those swims that the athletes themselves didn’t believe they could do.”
However, Riggs believes the key to the men’s success lies in the relays. He, along with the other coaches, are still working on some last minute decisions but Riggs feels the relays have the potential to be outstanding this weekend.
“I think the 200 and 400 free relays have potential to be BIG EAST champion relays,” Riggs said. “Those boys need to come together and make that a priority for themselves. In the medley, we have Bryce Bohman at back, Tim Squires in the freestyle and Taylor Camp and Jack Greenhalgh in the middle of those relays. We feel really good about what the relays can do for us this year.”
With the overwhelming amount of talented competition participating in this year’s BIG EAST Championships, the WVU men will have to bring their “A” game. It’s evident that Riggs has confidence that his team is ready and willing to do that.
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