Battling minor setbacks, the UT women’s swimming and diving team is trying to stay above water long enough to make a dash for the MAC championship in February, according to head coach Lars Jorgensen.

The Lady Rockets placed fourth at the Eastern Michigan Invitational on Dec. 5 and returned Dec. 6, attempting to gain ground on Big Ten leader Michigan. Yet, Jorgensen believes his team of young swimmers and divers can right their ship to be a competitive force within the next couple of months.

Kylie Gamelier

“Some programs are good enough in mid-November, and we try to be good more toward the end of the season and peak at the right time,” he explained. “Right now, I don’t think we’re the best, but we’re really gearing toward February, and we’ve had a few people with some illnesses and some injuries, and it kind of hurts us a little bit. So I think if we can get healthy and on the same page, we can be pretty good.”

Jorgensen credits his team’s work ethic for its high points this season, including Jacy Dyer’s first-place finish at the tournament. The sophomore made a record-setting performance, breaking three school records and earning her third honor as MAC co-swimmer of the week.

One of four swimmers with potential to shine at the conference championship in February, Dyer follows upperclassmen, such as senior Kylie Gamelier, who competes in the 50- and 100-meter breaststroke, as well as the 200-meter individual medley.

Gamelier, however, swims with a nagging, recurring groin injury from last year, which, she said, hasn’t improved. Although her season is “going pretty well” considering her injury, she has been unable to meet all of her goals. Gamelier became the first Rocket swimmer to participate in the U. S. Olympic trials, clocking a 1:13.93 in the 100-meter breaststroke.

“I’m not exactly where I want to be right now,” she said. “My 200 is actually two seconds faster than it was last year, but my 50 and my 100 still need improvement. Last year I had [the injury], but it would bother me and then go away for a couple weeks, then it would come back again. But this year, it’s a lot worse; I’m at the point where I’m not really recovering too much from it anymore. It’s frustrating.”

She’s not expecting a second chance at the Olympics, but Gamelier does plan to continue to be a part of swimming long after graduation in the spring. The exercise science major intends to enter grad school, eventually landing a position as a coach or performance trainer.

The efforts cap a longtime love for the sport, she added, spurred by a former UT swimmer and training coach who inspired her as a freshman to pursue a career in the field. But first, she would like to qualify for the NCAA tournament, “the biggest meet in the country,” she said.

“It takes up so much of your time,” Gamelier added. “And even though some days you probably wish you weren’t at practice, it really helps you achieve what you want to achieve.”

This entry was posted on Friday, December 12th, 2008 at 12:00 am and is filed under Sports.
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