For Mallory Miles and Haley Richter, the 2013-14 swimming campaign has brought with it a new challenge that the two seniors have dove headfirst into.
Miles and Richter were named co-captains for their final season in swimming and diving at Ball State.
Given the responsibilities of being the leaders on a team that boasts 13 underclassmen, 11 of which are freshmen, Miles and Richter have embraced the roles assigned by second-year head coach Kristy Castillo. She felt that they were the perfect candidates for the job.
“There is definitely a presence about them that just gives off a leadership quality,” Castillo said. “There is just a natural attraction to them as leaders.”
Freshman Jessica Extine said the two captains have meant a lot to her during her first year at Ball State.
“They are the biggest support group,” Extine said. “They are always the ones cheering you on, and putting those motivational comments in there, and it shows everywhere, in the pool and out.”
Miles and Richter do not view their responsibilities as over once practice or a swim meet ends.
“They have just been there,” Extine said with a smile. “I can always go to them and talk to them whenever, even if it’s not about swimming. They have really helped me with my transition to college. I couldn’t imagine it without them.”
The transition to becoming a team captain is one that some find to be intimidating and overwhelming, but both Miles and Richter believe that it was a process that was easy for them to adapt to, and one that they were ready for.
In the 2010-11 swimming and diving season, Miles and Richter’s freshman season, Ball State had 13 freshmen on the roster.
“It honestly reminds me of our freshman year,” Miles said of this year’s freshmen class. “We came in with such a big class, and it is exciting to see [the current freshmen] kind of live through what we did, and we can give them advice from when we were in their shoes.”
Richter agreed with her fellow captain’s thoughts on their shift to a leadership role.
“It has actually been a lot easier than I thought it was going to be,” Richter said. “Our chemistry was already there, and they [the underclassmen] just kind of fit right into it.”
Richter said that chemistry was cemented last year when she, Miles, and senior Bridgette Ruehl all attempted to qualify for the Olympic Trial Cuts. It was there that the foundation of their successful evolution as team leaders was laid.
“We really bonded during [the Olympic Trials] I thought,” Richter said. “We had a common goal. We are always training together, and I am going to be really sad when it is all over.”
The season will be over for Miles and Richter at the Mid-American Conference Championships in late February, as the two butterfly swimmers complete their eligibility.
“We work really well together,” Miles said. “I think we are almost like the sisters of the team. We mesh very well. I am so glad to be a captain with her.”
It is that team chemistry Miles wants to leave behind to the younger swimmers as they complete their final year at Ball State.
“We are always known at MAC [Championships] for having the most fun, positive team, and the most supportive,” Miles said. “I’d love to keep that as we go out.”
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