The Ohio Wesleyan University’s Men’s and Women's swimming teams have dipped their toes into the season! The Bishops are gearing up for the first in-conference swim meet at Kenyon College on November 8.
Last year, the Bishops came up short in their competition against the Kenyon Owls, and are looking forward to competing again.
Graham Mayberry and Bella Guzzetta gave their thoughts on preparation leading up to the meet and what it’s like competing against other swimmers.
Mayberry is a junior on the men's swim team, double majoring in Data Analytics and Computer Science. Swimming competitively for 14 years, he enjoys the competitive aspect of the sport.
“We have meets against our in-conference teams a lot and especially at our big conference meet,” said Mayberry. “So whenever we have out-of-conference meets it’s always a lot of fun.”
Guzzetta is a junior swimmer for the women's team studying sports management and communications. She started swimming competitively when she was five and has not looked back since.
Guzzetta prefers in-conference meets because she likes competing against opponents that she will face in the future come time for the Conference Championship Meet.
“Heading into the first conference meet I want to swim my best, regardless of my times because it is all the work that will lead up to the Conference Championship Meet,” said Guzzetta.
The head coach for both men's and women's teams, Richard Hawes, emphasized the importance of the conference meets, gearing the teams up to compete at the Conference Championship Meet. In-conference meets help him make decisions for the most important meet, like choosing which events to put people in and where they will perform best.
Hawes is entering his 33rd season coaching the Bishops.
“I really started coaching in High School for a summer league swim team, so I guess I’ve been doing this since 1976,” said Hawes.
Ohio Wesleyan is not required to schedule in-conference meets but chooses so to better themselves, according to Hawes. They want to put themselves up against the best there is, so they can gain that experience swimming alongside both schools.
“I believe my technique has improved tremendously being here at OWU. The coaching I am getting here is amazing and I continue to grow and get better each and every year,” said Guzzetta.
Mayberry added, “Our head coach creates a great routine for us each week that benefits us greatly for each meet we have.”
These responses were not surprising to hear after speaking with Hawes. When asked how he can push his players to the best of their ability, he responded right away.
Hawes emphasized the importance of being personable with his players and creating relationships out of the pool and competitive environment.
“Relationships make a huge impact in terms of how they feel that they matter,” said Hawes.
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