September 10, 1998
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Following a season in which the UK women’s swimming and diving team broke 13 school records, sent 10 student-athletes to the NCAA Championships, finished 8-1 in dual meets, claimed 13 All-America awards and posted a top 25 finish, many onlookers might feel there is no room for improvement. Coach Gary Conelly disagrees.
“This year’s team should be even better because of their experience level. We have seven of our 10 NCAA competitors back, along with several girls who just missed the NCAA cuts. We’ve also brought in some talented girls who should more than replace those we lost,” Conelly said.
A quick scan of the roster seems to support Conelly’s claims. UK returns SEC champion and three-time team MVP Rachel Komisarz, two-time honorable mention All-American Melissa Olson, sprint and relay star Annabel Kosten and 1997 SEC Diver of the Year Christy Soulakis, just to name a few.
Komisarz won the 200 butterfly at the 1998 SEC Championships and claimed All-SEC honors. She followed up her impressive conference showing a few weeks later at the NCAA Championships, where she claimed four All-America awards. Conelly said that Komisarz is strong in all strokes, especially the fly. “Rachel’s strength and power make her a deadly force in the fly.”
Melissa Olson returns after a phenomenal freshman season in which she shattered three school records, posted three top 20 finishes at the NCAAs and won over ten events in dual meets. “Melissa just destroyed our records in the IM events,” Conelly said. “She has been a great addition to our squad.”
A sprint freestyle specialist, Annabel Kosten set a new UK record in the 50 freestyle. She also swam on four record-breaking relay teams, claiming All-America honors at the NCAA meet.
Christy Soulakis will return to strengthen the diving contingent. Soulakis placed third on the platform at the SEC meet, but narrowly missed the NCAA cut. Soulakis hopes to rebound this season, and diving coach Mike Lyden expects nothing less. “Christy is my veteran,” Lyden said. “She is strong in all the diving events. I am expecting big things from her this year.”
On top of the returning Cats, UK has added a strong freshman class to bolster the corps. The UK staff is counting on fast times from many of the younger swimmers. “Carolyn Rader should really contribute this season. Tracy Sullivan came to us with some fast times, and Deborah Hinsley should be in there as well,” Conelly remarked.
UK’s squad will be strong in many events, but their strength may be the sprints. Jamie Siegele and Jenny Priester return after claiming All-America honors in sprint relays at the 1998 NCAA Championships. Conelly is happy with his stable of sprinters. “Jamie and Jenny are both strong racers and competitors. Rachel Komisarz is as good sprinter as anyone on the team and Carolyn Rader and Debra Hinsley will factor in as well. We’re deep in the sprint events.”
As the distances increase, the Cats remain strong. “Rachel will be able to help us in the middle-distance freestyle swims, and some freshmen may contribute as well,” Conelly said. “Kelley Miller has swum the 1,650 at the SEC meet for two years and Carolyn is a strong distance swimmer as well.”
The aquatic Cats should also score big in the breaststroke events this season. Connely said, “We have two NCAA breaststrokers back in Emily Grass and Jennifer Clifford. We feel pretty good about the breaststroke.”
Taryn Kannegeisser, Kristi Lohmeier and Melissa Oslon should carry the load in the backstroke. Each already owns a spot in UK’s all-time top five in one or more backstroke event.
SEC champion Rachel Komisarz will handle butterfly duties, along with sophomore Emily Buske. Buske ranks in UK’s all-time top ten in both butterflies and Conelly expects an improvement this season. “Emily hasn’t reached her best yet. She should be even stronger this year,” he said. Conelly continued, conceding, “We’re in pretty good shape in the fly events.”
Sophomore Melissa Olson should continue her record-setting ways in the individual medley events and will get some help from frosh Carolyn Rader. Olson broke UK’s old records by more than 2 seconds, and Rader’s high school swims impressed the UK coaches.
The UK diving squad will be as strong as ever, with Soulakis joining sophomores Carrie Knoeber and Sarah Fields on the boards. Soulakis is a proven competitor and diving coach Mike Lyden is confident Knoeber and Fields are ready to contribute.
“Carrie is as talented as anyone in the country. She improved a lot last year, and when she is on she can be one of the best divers in the country,” Lyden said. “And Sarah did really well last year, too. She was fourth on the platform at the SECs. She’s as steady as they get.”
“All three could make top eight at the SECs,” Lyden continued, “And the SEC dominates at the NCAAs. I expect a great year.”
With an experienced group of returning swimmers and divers and a talented crop of newcomers, UK figures to improve on last year’s fourth-place SEC finish. To add to UK’s chances, the Wildcats host the conference meet this year.
“Our kids are really comfortable with this pool,” Conelly admits. “It’s a lot like a home football game. You know all the quirks about the pool. It can only help. Last time we hosted the SECs, we did very well. I am hoping for the same this time.”
As far as season goals, the team is looking to improve on last year’s 21st place finish. “We would like to improve our NCAA scores and place a little higher,” Conelly concluded.
With the talent and experience the Wildcats return, only time will tell how high this team can climb.
