Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Men's Swimming and Diving Blog - Eric Sokolosky
10/2/2009 8:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving
Oct. 2, 2009
What a difference one year can make. Of course, I could fill this entry by contrasting last year as a college freshman and my first month as a college sophomore. I could also discuss in depth the changes in my life that this year has brought: a new course load, new professors, new classmates and acquaintances, etc. I'd prefer, however, to examine the many changes in the swim team that I've noticed so far this season.
To begin with, we've certainly got a new look. In just the coaching staff alone, we lost two of our assistant coaches - Dan Schupsky and Shana Welch. When they moved on to new opportunities this past offseason, it became Coach Dan Schinnerer's job to find appropriate replacements to help him work the sidelines for the upcoming year. His nationwide search for new assistant coaches led to the hiring of Andrew Sheaff and Mary Dain. Their presence and expertise both in and out of the pool has been felt greatly early on, and I know that the team as a whole has already grown accustomed to the new faces on deck and made them feel welcome.
Additionally, not one of the upperclassmen swimmers can deny the increased intensity this young season has brought on. One thing that I felt was unchanged this year was my preparedness coming in. My training this past summer was very similar to my training the summer before arriving at Bucknell for the first time. Nevertheless, is rightfully striving to build our program up to be stronger, faster than last season. While many of the workouts have been more difficult than at this point last year, we all know that our hard work will pay off in the long run.
Also, the immediate impact of the freshman class this year has been exciting to see. Our extensive recruiting done last season resulted in six incoming men, including a much-needed diver. Day in and day out, I see all the freshmen pushing themselves to make the hardest sets and intervals, swimming and kicking first and second in their lanes, and going beyond their comfort zones in dryland and the weight room as well. In addition, our only diver, Dave Magaro, has certainly impressed us all with his power and finesse off of both boards.
The most remarkable change, however, is the cohesiveness of our team this early into a very long season. I have already felt a newfound bond and determination this year; with expressly written goals and standards, we must continue to support and push each other towards these goals in order to reach our potential as individuals and more importantly, as the Bucknell Swimming & Diving Team. I cannot wait for the season to unfold.
- Eric Sokolosky '12
