Men’s swim team prepares for matchup against Southern Methodist

By Colleen Casey
Skiff Staff

As the men of TCU’s swimming team prepares for their dual meet against Southern Methodist tonight, they will also enter into the most competitive part of their schedule, head coach Richard Sybesma said.

After No. 10 Florida’s 128-100 win against TCU last Saturday, the Frogs face No. 22 SMU, and then move on to race against No. 1 Texas in TCU’s last dual meet of the season.

Sarah Kirschberg/PHOTO EDITOR Junior Josh Pipes works on his butterfly stroke in practice this week in the Rickel Building. The Horned Frog men’s swim team competes today against Southern Methodist in Dallas.

“It was our goal to race fast teams when we made our schedule at the beginning of the season,” Sybesma said. “SMU is traditionally good at being fast.”

TCU’s next few opponents has sophomore backstroke swimmer Aaron Ewert nervous, but he said that is not negative.
“SMU is a big rival for us, but I’m looking to swim my best,” Ewert said. “I was nervous for Florida, but nervousness sometimes brings out the best in a swimmer.”

Ewert’s 200 backstroke time of 1:49.69 vs. Florida currently ranks 15th in the nation.

Also ranked 15th is junior 200 breaststroke swimmer Scott Adkins who recorded a time of 2:04.78.

“Our individual ability is at an equal status with SMU,” Adkins said. “Also, it will be interesting because most of us are friends with some of (the SMU swimmers).”

Sybesma said he considers Ewert and Adkins to be candidates for the NCAA Championships, where the best swimmers in the nation compete individually.

“They both have the ability to hold their own against any program in the country’s No. 1 guy,” Sybesma said. “They have a very good chance at qualifying for the championships. They just have to believe they can.”

Sybesma said he is also impressed with sophomore sprinter Jeff Parkinson and junior butterfly/mid-distance swimmer Josh Pipes. Parkinson placed first in the 100 freestyle with a time of 46:88 at the Florida meet.

With only two more dual meets before the National Independent Championships Feb. 22 to 24, the men’s equivalent to the Western Athletic Conference Championships, the team is focusing on goals it made at the start of the season and working towards earning top 25 votes.

“We would like to be recognized, but in order to do that, we have to do things like upset a ranked opponent,” Sybesma said. “We’re looking to see some great races at SMU, and hopefully an upset.”

Colleen Casey
c.m.casey@student.tcu.edu