The Tigersharks started their 2007-2008 season with a win for both the men and women two weeks ago against Delta State. Leading the men, sophomore Nelson Silva took three automatic qualifying times for the NCAA meet. For the women, junior Sarah Watson took the optional qualifying time for the 100 and 200 backstroke.
Head Coach Jim Dann feels as though the win was a good start to the season. “We’ve been working both teams pretty hard, so I was pleased with the way we swam with as much work as we’ve been doing,” Dann said.
Next on the schedule for the Tigersharks will be the Henderson State Red Wave swim team. Earlier in the season Henderson lost to the same Delta State team that Ouachita took on two weeks ago. This gives the team a lot of confidence going into the meet with Henderson. However at the end of last year Henderson was ranked 8th in Division II, only two spots down from Ouachita. Dann and the rest of the team are stepping up their game to make sure they get a victory over the Red Wave.
Senior John Mark McClain said he felt confident going into the meet with the work the team has done so far. “Coach Dann and assistant Coach Ryan Killackey have been working together, and have definitely made practice more difficult this year,” McClain said. “Things are more structured, he has definitely stepped up the intensity from last year.”
With six returning seniors on both the mens and women’s teams, Dann is happy with the leadership they have provided so far this year with the new recruits.
Dann also said much of the success of his team can be credited to the international recruiting program. Unlike Division I, Division II has no age limits on its athletes. This gives those overseas who are too old to compete in Division I schools the opportunity to come to school and still swim competitively. Many of these international students have developed their skills and are some of the top swimmers in the nation.
“The international swimmers seem to come in and adjust easily, and they are always fast, which really helps us out,” McClain said.
Both the Ouachita and Henderson swimmers will be ready to go by Friday. With all the rivalry between the two teams, this meet will most assuredly draw a lot of hype and is one of the most anticipated matches of the year. Neither team will take the other for granted when Battle of the Ravine bragging rights are hanging in the balance.
The meet will be held in the Duke Wells Center on the Henderson State campus tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. Given the records of both teams, it certainly will be an exciting meet. So come out and watch the Ouachita Tigersharks dominate the Red Wave this weekend.
