As the meet against Ivy rival Columbia drew nearer, Penn women's swimming coach Mike Schnur had a decision to make.
Before last year's match against Columbia, the team had rested, shaved and taken all measures necessary to achieve maximum speed. Still, they could not overcome the Lions.
This year, Schnur did things a little differently.
"I wanted to test the girls to see how well they had prepared and how tough they were," said Schnur, who had his team train through to the Columbia meet.
The team passed his test with flying colors last Friday.
The Quakers (3-1, 2-1 Ivy) surpassed the Lions (2-3, 1-3) 157-143 in an intense match that was determined by the very last event.
"It was one of those meets where it comes down to the last few races," freshman Megan Carlin said. "Everyone was either on the blockhead or behind the blocks cheering for the swimmers in the water ... we ended up winning the last meet but it was really close. It came down to the last event."
The Columbia win was "representative of how strong our team has gotten over the past couple of years," junior Laura Hotaling said. "This year we swam through it and trained hard ... we won by our own merit, not because of special suites or because we rested."
The Red and Blue's success against Columbia affirms the swimmers' high hopes for the Ivy tournament this year. This 2004-05 squad has united to create a powerful aquatic threat.
"They are a team with lots of heart, a close team," Schnur said. "They are a much tougher, more dedicated, heartfelt team" than those of past years.
"Our success is indicative of how close we are," Hotaling said. "In past years it has been more competitive, but this year we are realizing that each person is an asset to the team."
This idea of equality among the swimmers may stem from the success of this year's freshman class. Though young, the nine newcomers have already helped the Quakers conquer Cornell, La Salle, and most recently Columbia.
"We are bringing new people into positions of importance and they are responding beautifully," Schnur said.
Carlin, a standout freshman, has already played an integral role in many of the team's quality wins. Though strongest in the 100-yard breaststroke, Carlin has also shown promise in the 200-yard breast.
"Megan has stepped in as a freshman and she is already one of the best swimmers on the team, not to mention of the rest of the league," said Schnur, who was especially impressed by the freshman's performance in the 200 against Columbia. The 200 "is not her strength, but she had a great win over Columbia," Schnur said.
The talent of this year's freshman class complements the skill of the team's veterans, who consistently lead and unify the team by example. Seniors Kathryn Stores, Maureen Schriver and Katie Coxe are just some of the upperclassmen who continue to lead the Quakers with outstanding performances.
Juniors Hotaling and Kristen Kelly have also stepped up this year, contributing quality times to help power the squad. Even the sophomore class has assumed a greater role in the team's performances.
"The sophomore class has really stepped up this year," Schnur said.
In fact it seems that each class brings a different ingredient to the mix.
But is it a recipe for success?
The Quakers hope so. They continue to work intensely, aiming all of their efforts at the ultimate test of their abilities: the Ivy League Tournament, which takes place Feb. 24-26 at Princeton.
"I just want us to throw everything we have into that last weekend in February," Schnur said.
Though the team placed sixth last year, the swimmers have high hopes for their 2005 campaign.
"A goal of the team is definitely to do better at the Ivy's," Carlin said. "Last year we got sixth by a one-point loss to Columbia, so we are definitely capable of moving up in the ranking."
Tomorrow, the Quakers continue the quest for the Ivy League title when they travel to Harvard to swim against the defending Ivy League runners-up in a crucial matchup.
Harvard sits at 4-0 in the Ancient Eight and 6-0 overall, coming off wins over Houston and Kansas. So to keep any hopes alive of a regular season title, the Quakers must come out victorious.
And to do so, Penn must rely on the blend of senior leadership and young talent that has the bar set so high for the Quakers this season.
