Heading into the big meet of the season -- the Mid-American Conference championships -- women's swimming and diving coach Laura Seibold-Caudill has nothing but good things to say about her team, calling them dependable, dedicated, and good student-athletes.
"When the going gets tough, they've always done very well. When we really needed them to step forward, they've always done that," she said.
Miami is heavily favored to win the meet. But after that, Seibold-Caudill said, every spot this weekend is up for grabs. Placing in the top eight is key, she said, because more points are awarded.
"It's going to depend on who has the best meet and who can finish in the top eight," she said. "We've got to make sure we're in that top 16."
The top 16 advance to the night session, with the top eight advancing to the final heat, and the bottom eight advancing to the consolation heat.
"(Placing) 17th is an awful place to be. That means you're sitting in the stands watching," said Seibold-Caudill. "The preliminary sessions are the most important time for us to compete. It's when you determine your placing for the final."
Before the season, Seibold-Caudill said she hoped her team would finish fourth or fifth at the championships. She still hopes to finish "somewhere in the middle of the pack," but also believes her team has the chance to do even better.
"The great thing is we could have a great meet and move up," she said. "But on the other side, what if everyone else does really well too and we end up lower than that?
"When the kids look at the times to what it takes to get in from last year's meet, it's doable. I think they've got to believe in themselves. It is achievable."
But she believes her team will succeed this weekend. It's just a matter of working as a team.
"Everybody has to support each other. You can accomplish a lot more as a group than you can as individuals," Seibold-Caudill said.
The coach expects everyone on the team to step up, including the divers, who are "so much better for us this year."
"Our seniors are looking forward to this meet with a lot of anticipation. They have high expectations of doing well, and I think they should," Seibold-Caudill said. "(The team) worked very hard this year. I hope the hard work can pay off and their dreams come true and I think they're ready for it."
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