The LU Swimming and Diving men’s and women’s teams both had productive seasons this year.  The men's squad placed second in the  Midwest (MWC) Conference championships making it the eleventh consecutive season they have placed in the top three.  The women's team, on the other hand, placed a respectable fourth in a very tough field.   Probably the most significant factor in this team's character was how much fun they had.  From early season retreat to Bjorklunden through the Florida break training trip to the conference championships the common thread was their ability to enjoy themselves.  The season-ending video was 45 minutes of over 1000 photos showing the care, concern and friendships of our team.   At the retreat, Coach Kirner presented talks on team goalsetting and stroke technique advances as the teams enjoyed ultimate frisbee, quiet hikes and campfires.  After this point and up through the first half of the season many activities and swim meets continued to bridge a sense of team cooperation leading up to our biggest team highlight – the Florida break trip.  The team trip featured a number of teambuilding and swim training highlights.  Everyone has a role on our team, not just our “conference champions.”  In fact, this year’s team identity enveloped that theme as everyone contributed something to the success of our team.

Preceding our Midwest Conference (MWC) Championships, were our outstanding second and third place finishes by the men's and women's teams, respectively, in the Wisconsin Private College Swimming Championships.  Both team's had sparkling performances with times that provided good seeds for the MWCs.  The MWC meet, followed two weeks later,  was highlighted by our individual conference champs and our extraordinary leadership provided by our 10 outgoing senoirs.   MWC Champs include Meggin Brittain (100 and 200 Back), Jodie Primus (100 Breast), Adam Kolb (500 Free), Chris Perry (100 Fly), Paul Schook (1650 Free) and the men's 800 Free Relay (Steve Vander Naalt, Kolb, Perry, Schook).  At the MWCs , the team showed 92% season best times and 85% of Lawrence swimmers achieved at least one lifetime best.  To view the each days MWC results check out the following links:

2004 MWC Championship Finals

Day 1                   Day 2                   Day 3

Lawrence gold medalists in the 800 freestyle relay (L to R: Steve Vander Naalt, Adam Kolb, Chris Perry and Paul Schook) show how calm and cool they are before defending their title.

Nick Heuer congratulates a fellow competitor from Grinnell College after sprinting to the finish of the 100 breaststroke.