By
Connor Doyle
Arizona Summer Wildcat
Swimmers and divers expected to compete for championship in 2001-02
One of the most consistent programs on campus in recent years, the UA swimming and diving team, is now considered one of the top swim institutions in the country.
The women finished fifth in the NCAA championships last year, while the men finished sixth. Expectations were high for both teams last year - especially for the women, who were anchored by All-American Amanda Beard in the breaststroke and medley. While the results may not have been as high as expected, UA head coach Frank Busch said both teams performed well.
"Last year was a good season," Busch said. "What it means to be a team that's (in the) top five is an accomplishment. All things considered, the guys had a tremendous year because we lost so many players. I think the girls' finish was a case of bad luck."
Looking forward to this season, Busch thinks this year's women's squad will have an opportunity to challenge for a National Championship.
"This year (the women) are going to have a great chance to be as good as we've ever been," Busch said. "Usually, you need a break here and there, but if everything falls into place, our girls will be in position to fight for a title."
Unfortunately for Busch, Beard - who captured a bronze medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games in the 200m breaststroke - will not be back with the squad next season after deciding to turn professional. However, the team will return two All-Americans who have won NCAA titles, senior Sarah Tollar - who won the 200m freestyle in 2001 - and junior Beth Botsford, the 200m backstroke champion from 2000.
While the prospect for the men may not be as high, Busch also thinks that they have an opportunity to place better than last year.
"We've got a solid freshman class coming in and we can be better than sixth," Busch said. "There's a couple of freshmen that could get us there. I'd be very disappointed if men weren't in the top 10 - we could swim backwards and still finish that high."
Senior diver Omar Ojeda is returning as one of the most exciting athletes on the men's side. He finished third in last year's NCAA championships, and Busch thinks he's placed himself among the country's elite.
"If you base everything on previous years, we have one of the better divers in the country in Omar Ojeda," Busch said. "He's pretty amazing."
Busch attributes Ojeda's success to the quality of coaching that the divers have.
"The diving program has never been better," Busch said. "(Diving coaches) Michele and Jose Rocha made our program one of then best in the country. With the amount of talent that our swimming and diving teams have and the coaches we have, the statement I could make is we will be competitive with anyone in the country."
As for the prospect of some future Wildcats following in Beard's footsteps, Busch says that it's always a possibility.
"We have some young people in our program that will certainly battle for a place on a Olympic squad," he said. "We're fortunate to draw that kind of talent. We have some good kids, depending on how they and we do, we'll see in a couple of years."
