University of Minnesota Athletics
A Look at the Gopher Relays and Divers
10/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
The University of Minnesota women’s swimming and diving team has a bright outlook heading into the season. Every athlete who qualified for the NCAA Championships a year ago is back on the team. The Golden Gophers are already off to a strong 3-0 start in dual meets in 2010-11 with victories against Michigan, Michigan State and Iowa State. During the streak the Gophers have already celebrated two Big Ten Athletes of the Week in diver Maggie Keefer and swimmer Jillian Tyler. Depth will definitely play an important role in the Golden Gophers’ success as Minnesota will feature all-around talent throughout the lineup.
“Right now, we’re pretty well-balanced,” said Gopher co-head coach Terry Nieszner. “From the sprints, to the strokes, to the distance events, to the diving, we are excited about our talent and depth.”
This is the third of a three-part series.
Part III
Relays
The Gophers return an array of intact relay combinations this season, all of which have strong senior leadership. The 200 and 400 medley relays highlight this category. Relay members include: seniors Alison Eggers, Kaylee Jamison, Jillian Tyler and junior Hannah Whitehead. The 400 team took won the Big Ten title in 2010 and placed 12th at NCAA’s. The 200 placed second at the Big Tens.
The 200 freestyle relay team also had success at the Big Tens taking third. Its relay members include: Eggers and Jamison plus seniors Megan Braun and Monica Radecke.
Diving
The sky is the limit for the Minnesota diving squad this season. The Gophers will strive to be better than ever under the instruction of diving coach, Wenbo Chen. Chen was last season’s Big Ten Diving Coach of the Year and says the team is well on their way. “Right now we have five divers we’re looking definitely better than last year,” Chen said.
When it comes to diving, look no further than junior Kelci Bryant, the 2010 NCAA champion on the 3-meter board and the Big Ten Diver of the Year. Bryant demands respect as she was also an All American in the one and three meter dives. Bryant rampaged through the Big Tens last season taking first in the 1m and 3m. Bryant proceeded to end 2010 on a high note at the NCAA’s placing second in the 1m in addition to the national title.
Katie Grunawalt is a sophomore diver to look out for. Grunawalt took 11th in the 3m at the Big Tens and has started this season off with a bang. “She trained with us all summer and is getting a lot better,” said Chen. “You can see from the results.”
The three freshmen additions are Maggie Keefer, Sara McCrady and Sara Axness. Keefer has already made a name for herself as she has already earned a Big Ten Diver of the Week award in October. Keefer has won the 1m in all three dual meets this season. As a collective, the freshman divers look promising especially after buying into Chen’s self-proclaimed rigorous training.
“Their bodies are adapting to all the training we have and you can see they’re much better,” Chen said. “You can tell they are getting a lot better physically, mentally and technically. There’s a lot to learn and it’s a long way to go but I can see the potential. Our divers are going to step up and be a lot better than last year.”
Players Mentioned
