At first glance, the Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving teams underachieved at the MIAA championships.
Coming in sixth and seventh respectively, both squads could have performed better. However, these results misrepresent what these teams have achieved throughout the course of the entire season.
“I was very pleased with the way our athletes performed,” Head Coach Keith Havens said. “Most everyone did lifetime bests in at least one event, and we had some amazing time drops.”
Two of the most impressive performances came from Sylvania, Ohio sophomore Lindy Williams and Rochester sophomore Will Schmidt.
“This was the most successful year I’ve ever had,” Schmidt said. “I think I dropped time at every meet, but the biggest drop I had was at MIAA’s.”
Williams had similar things to say about her successes.
“I had the best meet of my life,” Williams said. “Personal bests every race all three days, finals every night, and even placed a podium spot the last night.”
Schmidt finished 13th in the men’s 1,650-yard freestyle, and Williams finished eighth in the 200-yard breaststroke at the MIAA championships.
With the end of this season comes a new era for the Swimming and Diving program. Earlier this year, Havens announced this would be his last season coaching.
“There are some loose ends to tie up for the next month or so,” Havens said. “We’ll continue to do recruiting, but once they name my successor, that person will presumably start recruiting as well.”
Havens said a new coach will likely be named sometime in March. Candidates were hosted on campus this weekend.
As far as Havens legacy goes, he has left a remarkable impression on the swimmers he has worked with the past 27 years.
“Coach Havens is the best Coach I’ve ever had,” Schmidt said. “If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be swimming for Albion. I regret having to see him go.”
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