Sept. 27, 2010
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THIS WEEK — The Iowa men’s and women’s swimming team will host the annual Black and Gold Intrasquad Meet Saturday. The Hawkeyes will race for a cure, supporting heart disease awarness. The exhibition will take place at the CRWC Pool beginning at 11 a.m.
SEASON PREVIEW– The 2010-11 season will be filled with excitement and new memories for the University of Iowa swimming and diving program as the team will compete in their new pool at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center. The new facility includes a 50-meter competition pool, a separate diving well, a leisure pool with lap lanes and 24,000 square feet of fitness space.
“We’re excited about having this amazing training facility and being able to host regional and national meets. It’s a real sense of pride for our current athletes that they are moving into one of the nicest facilities in the country,” said Head Swimming Coach Marc Long. “Iowa has a very deep swimming and diving history, so to leave such a historical facility and add a facility like this is an outstanding opportunity.”
The Hawkeyes’ former home, the Field House Pool, did not have access to adequate training facilities. The pool was not Olympic size and the divers did not have access to a regulation size tower. The CRWC on the other hand is stocked with modern amenities and features all new equipment.
The Hawkeyes want their first year in the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center be as successful as their final season at the Field House Pool.
The Iowa men’s squad returns its top performer in 10 of 17 individual events and all four legs in four of the five relays. In 2009-10, the Hawkeye men set school records in three individual events and three relays, while posting NCAA “B” cuts in eight individual events and five relays. The Hawkeyes posted their best dual record in program history (10-1), going 3-1 in the Big Ten. Iowa’s sixth place finish at the Big Ten Championships marks the team’s highest finish at the conference championships in 14 years.
The men will be led by senior Max Dittmer, who leads the team in the 100 back (48.75). The Hawkeye men will also return junior Paul Gordon who leads the team in the 100 (43.88), 200 (1:36.01), 500 free (4:22.55) and 100 fly (48.96). Sophomore Byron Butler, who set a new school record in the 200 back (1:45.30), will also be returning to the water.
Iowa welcomes an outstanding freshmen class that was ranked No.17 by collegeswimming.com.
The Hawkeye women return their top performer in 12 of 14 individual events. They also have a solid class of newcomers to add depth and talent in every event. Last season, Iowa set a pool record in one individual event and posted NCAA “B” cuts in five individual events and four relays.
The Iowa women will be led by juniors Danielle Carty and Daneila Cubelic in the backstroke. Carty leads in the team in the 100 back (55.17) while Cubelic leads in the 200 (1:58.87). Senior Katarina Tour, who set a new pool record in the 100 fly ( 55.06) and leads the team in the 200 IM (2:01.51), will return to help lead the Hawkeyes.
“We are looking forward to seeing everyone race including the newcomers and rasing awareness of heart disease.” added Long.”
NEXT WEEK — The Iowa men and women’s swimming team will begin their regular season by hosting Truman State on Friday, October 8th before opening Big Ten competition at home against Wisconsin Oct. 15.
HEAD COACH Marc Long — Marc Long is in his seventh season as head coach for the University of Iowa swimming team. It’s his sixth as head coach of the combined program. During his tenure as head coach of both programs, 17 school records have fallen and 39 Hawkeyes have provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championships.
DIVING COACH Bob Rydze — Bob Rydze is in his 36th year as diving coach of the men and women’s teams at the University of Iowa. Rydze served as Team Leader for USA Diving at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China where he served as the Team Leader for USA Diving. During his tenure with the Hawkeyes, Rydze has coached 31 all-Americans, nine Big Ten and one NCAA Champion.
CAMPUS RECREATION AND WELLNESS CENTER — Ground was broken for the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in October 2007. The facility opened in August 2010 and is the new home for the Hawkeyes. It is located at the corner of Burlington and Madison streets and cost approximately $69 million. The facility includes a 50-meter competition pool, a separate diving well, a leisure pool with lap lanes and 24,000 square feet of fitness space.
IOWA SWIMMING HISTORY & TRADITION — Iowa was one of the first schools in the nation to compete on a collegiate level and competed at the first NCAA Championship. From 1937 to 1960, Iowa placed in the NCAA top ten 18 times, crowning nine NCAA and 22 Big Ten Champions.
CAPTAINS COUNCIL — Eight student-athletes have been named to the 2010-11 Captains Council. April Allen, Danielle Carty, Daniela Cubelic, Max Dittmer, Bryan Hill, Jordan Huff, Ryan Phelan and Kararina Tour were each voted to the council by their peers and coaches.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be selected to this elite group,” said Long. “The council members will meet regularly with the coaches and provide great leadership for this year’s team. We’re looking forward to continued team development in partnership with these outstanding individuals.”