Blue Wave expects to swim by competition
November 16, 2017 Harry Schwab
The Geneseo Blue Wave swimming and diving season is underway, and both the men's and women's teams are showing solid results, each defeating SUNY Cortland on Saturday Nov. 11.
This season the men are now at a 2-2 record and the women are 3-1 record.
Senior diver Samuel Randall, who swept the one-meter and three-meter dives, played a key role in this victory. Senior swimmer Jeff Doser also excelled, winning both the 50 and 500 freestyles, as well as the 200 medley relay and the 400 freestyle relay with his teammates. The Knights took 14 of the 16 events against Cortland.
In an individual sport like swimming, one may think that team chemistry does not play a major role, however, it is essential to the team's success, according to the players and coach.
"Team chemistry is unbelievably important in swimming," Doser said. "We have two practices almost every single day, so you spend a lot of time with the same people every day for multiple hours. Training can be really hard, so having a close bond with your teammates is extremely important, almost as important as the training itself,"
Head coach Paul Dotterweich echoed Doser's viewpoint that swimming is no different than any other sport.
"It really doesn't matter what sport you're playing, team culture and team chemistry are the foundation of a championship," Dotterweich said. "If we aren't on the same page then we aren't training to the best of our ability. All the players support each other through challenging times. Whether it's an overload of schoolwork or a grueling practice, someone is there to pick you up and help you out."
Dotterweich is confident in the team's culture, noting that it is one of the key factors behind their success as a program.
"This is why I preach team culture when I recruit," Dotterweich said. "There's a reason we've won 30 out of 34 SUNYAC Championships since I've been here."
Having a tight-knit community isn't the only thing that puts the Blue Wave above other teams. The abundance of strengths and relative lack of weaknesses also make the team special.
"On the women's side, we have a really strong first year class, which supplements our returning swimmers," Dotterweich said. "The 13 new additions have really raised the level of the program.
Dotterweich exudes similar confidence in their male counterparts.
"On the men's side, our freestyle is definitely the best. Also, our diving on both sides is solid," Dotterweich said.
Being one of the top SUNYAC swimming and diving programs, the team always aims to make improvements on any weaknesses.
"[The] women don't have one," Dotterweich said of the team's weaknesses. "Maybe experience if anything. We are deep across the board."
In reference to the men's side, Dotterweich said, "We're a little shallow in the breaststroke and backstroke."
The prospects for the rest of the season appear favorable. The team believes they have a strong chance at winning SUNYACs again this year.
"We are always very confident going into our season, so we believe that we can capture another SUNYAC title," Doser said. "We are hoping to qualify a few guys to go to NCAAs as well."
Dotterweich is also confident in his team.
"We'll make a good run this year and hopefully take SUNYACs again. Also, most likely we'll send some people to the national championship," Dotterweich said. "In the postseason, the sport becomes more individual. So, if we win SUNYACs, the whole team won't go to nationals, and we'll have to focus on our strongest athletes."
The Blue Wave will travel to Ithaca to face off against Ithaca College and Hartwick College on Saturday Nov. 18.
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