Goucher Aims to Build Momentum for Brighter Future

TOWSON, Md. -- After bottoming out with a 1-11 dual record and a seventh-place Landmark Conference placement last season, head coach Tom Till believes that this year's Goucher women's swimming team has the ability to get the program heading in the right direction.

The Gophers will get their first opportunity to build on last year's times when they host Susquehanna at 1 p.m. this Saturday.

"As far as point scorers go, we only lost relay swimmers from last season, so I'm excited about that," Till said. "It's still a rebuilding year as far as the program goes. The numbers are definitely not where we'd like them to be, but they're solid enough that I think we could potentially move up a little bit at the conference level, and the hope is that we'll continue to get stronger as the year goes on."

Goucher graduated only two seniors from last season in team captain Rachel Lyon and Abbey Wegman. Versatile junior Nicole Craver (Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove Area) leads the eight returners. Craver currently holds top 10 team times in six different events, and she made the finals at three different events (100-yard freestyle, 200 individual medley, 400 IM) at the Landmark championships last February.

"Nicole is somebody that we can put anywhere, and she does it willingly," Till remarked. "That's one of the best attributes about her. She's a quiet trainer, but her actions speak for her loud and clear."

The 16-year head coach is also excited about the potential of Kellyn Brower (Glen Ridge, N.J./Glen Ridge). The junior posted the top team times in the 50, 100 and 200 backstroke last year.

"Kellyn became more and more confident as the season progressed last year," Till said. "She really established herself as a solid contributor to the team. She's been working really hard in practice, and I'm excited to see where she ends up this season."

Other returners include team captains Catherine Gepner (West Allenhurst, N.J./Ocean Twp.) and Patrice D'Orazio (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Joseph Hill Academy). Distance free swimmer Mary Kate Malone (Gales Ferry, Conn./Ledyard) will also be back, as will the top 100 butterfly performer, Sydney Patterson (Dallas, Texas/Woodrow Wilson).

The Gophers have two newcomers to the team, freshmen Lizzy Hannifin (Denver, Colo./East) and Rebecca Kotula (Fallston, Md./John Carroll School), and Till believes both could contribute immediately.

In the weeks of practice leading up to Saturday's debut meet, Till has been impressed with the team's work ethic and the sense of togetherness evident among the team members, and he believes that will help the Gophers both this year and moving forward into the future.

"Everyone really seems to be encouraging each other, and they're all working hard," he said. "This year is about everyone rallying behind individual goals, and their teammates supporting those efforts. It's about continuing to move the program forward. Ultimately, there's nowhere else for us to go."

The full 2013-14 roster is available here, while the complete schedule can be accessed here. Live stats from tomorrow's meet can be accessed by downloading the free Meet Mobile app (iPhone, iPad compatible) and searching for Goucher.