With the way the Ball State women’s swimming and diving team has competed early this season, first-year coach Kristy Castillo has to be pleased.
The team took five of the first eight events last weekend to beat a tough Bowling Green squad. It’ll need similar results today as Ball State tries for its third straight win when it takes on Eastern Illinois on the road.
“It definitely sets the tone for the rest of the meet,” Castillo said. “It gives them confidence to get wins right away.”
Castillo is coming into the 2012-13 season as the new coach for the swimming and diving team after Laura Seibold-Caudill spent the last 33 years as the Cardinals’ coach. Having a coaching change to replace someone who has been the leader for so many years can usually take some time to adjust, but Castillo said the transition has been virtually painless. With two wins in both head-to-head meets this season, it’s hard to argue the team is struggling to adjust.
“It hasn’t been too difficult,” Castillo said. “The team has been great at being open-minded and optimistic about what’s to come for this season. The biggest thing is trying to find things that work for the team and still finding out what they can and can’t do.”
One of Ball State’s biggest strengths in the pool early this season has been the medley relay team consisting of junior Haley Richter, freshman Larah Beaver, junior Bridgette Ruehl and sophomore Carlena Magley.
But the team has been getting strong results from numerous swimmers in their respective events, and with the results they’ve gotten so far in three meets, it’s been almost unexpected.
“Surprising,” senior Dana Graunke said. “I think we’ve done a great job as a team in placing well. We’re showing teams we have other depth and power and we’re showing what we can do.”
With a team like Eastern Illinois, Castillo said she will be able to experiment with some lineups and have different swimmers try other events to see how they respond to them. If the swimmers do well, it’ll be an advantage Ball State will have later in the season and improve its depth.
It could also do wonders for the team’s confidence after just three meets. The surprising results and times they’ve gotten already this season, being able to get another win against Eastern Illinois will only improve it more.
“They’ve been consistent with their races so far,” Castillo said. “They’ve been working hard in practices and that’s definitely transitioned into some really fast meet results for this time of year. They’re seeing results they aren’t used to seeing at this time and they’re excited.”
