TicketsFeb. 11, 2011
By Rachel Hundley
GoBEARCATS.com
When the University of Cincinnati diving team takes to the pool at the BIG EAST Swimming and Diving Championships Feb. 16-19 at the University of Louisville, UC diving coach Paul Glassman knows his team can find success if it can find consistency.
With a group that includes four seniors and three freshmen, Glassman sees a mature team that has grown immensely over the course of the season, and he hopes their growth continues as they move into the Championship portion of the year.
"I have four seniors who have been with me for more than six years, and I've seen them go from new, novice divers to respectable, competitive divers," Glassman said. "The big question is can they perform like they have been."
The Bearcats hope to have an affirmative answer to that question this weekend when they face their steepest challenge this season in the BIG EAST Championships. The majority of the challenge rests on the shoulders of seniors Lindsey Bakan (Miamisburg, Ohio/Alter), Maggie Eubanks (Florence, Ky./Mt. Notre Dame Academy), Kirtley Krombholz (Cincinnati, Ohio/Indian Hill) and Brittany Teneyck (Fort Campbell, Tenn./Lake/Toledo), all of whom have competed under Glassman for six years, beginning with their club teams before eventually coming together at UC.
Even though Glassman is sufficiently familiar with his core of divers, he still isn't sure he knows what to expect when the Bearcats take to the boards at the BIG EAST Championships.
"It's really hard to say what to expect in a sport like diving, especially because our biggest issue as a team is lack of consistency," Glassman said. "They've got to get into a routine of performing well and used to that pattern. We'll see if they can do that."
The Bearcats have been working all season to overcome any inconsistencies that have plagued them through their winter competition. They have used meets and invitationals throughout the year to further improve performance and routine patterns without the looming concern for weekly rankings and polls that can turn into a substantial distraction for teams, especially down the stretch of a season.
"I look at dual meets and invitationals as practice. Those are an opportunity for us to get out there and perform and see where we're at," Glassman said. "They're just a chance for us to prepare and not worry about rankings week to week like they have to do in basketball and football."
A season worth of practices and preparation will culminate at Ralph Wright Natatorium beginning Feb. 16 and continuing through Feb. 19 as UC hopes to find the consistency at the BIG EAST Championships that Coach Glassman has stressed and searched for all season. If the Bearcats can give a steady performance like they've demonstrated they're capable of at times this year, they'll find success.