READING, Pa. -- Senior day for Albright student-athletes is a time to reflect on past accomplishments and savor the journey that has taken them to this point. That moment occurs for 16 Albright swimmers on Saturday (Jan. 17) when the Lions host King's in the final home meet of the season at 1 p.m. in the Albright Natatorium.
For the Albright men
Alex Bauer,
Tyler Huizing,
Drew Leahy,
Chris Longworth and
Rick Sutton will make their final home appearance at the Natorium, while
Lauren Cormier,
Adina Gaughran,
Danielle Hassard,
Codi Herr,
Kaitlyn Huizing, Jessie Mabone,
Liz Muller,
Amanda Osterlind,
Melanie Roy,
Gwen Stefan and
Karley Thompson will be swimming for the final time at Albright as a member of the women's team.
"I feel like that when it comes time to race our seniors will be prepared," said head coach
Michael Hay. "I don't want to try and curb, or control, their emotions at all. This is their last home meet ever and it will be an experience they will never forget. I want our seniors showing their emotions and showing everyone how much this means to them."
Sutton,
Tyler Huizing, Cormier, Gaughran, Herr,
Kaitlyn Huizing and Stefan will all be swimming in four events on Saturday.
"We have a lineup that highlights our seniors," Hay said. "This will give our seniors an opportunity to show what they are capable of. Hopefully we will be looking at breaking some pool records on Saturday.
"I'm hoping that
Rick Sutton has a chance to break the 500-freestyle record, that
Alex Bauer has a chance to break the 100-butterfly record and that
Amanda Osterlind has an opportunity to break the mile record."
For Sutton, it feels like his time at Albright has gone by quickly.
"I can't believe it's coming to an end," He said. "I'm that glad that our seniors get to swim in events they really want to swim on Saturday, but it's tough having it come to an end."
Osterlind cherishes her time at Albright and the years spent with her fellow seniors.
"We've been together for four years," She said of group of 11 senior women. "We started the college, and swimming, experience together and we've all had our ups and downs, but we have supported each other throughout our time at Albright. It's made for some great memories.
"I'm very proud to be a part of this senior group. We came in with a mission and I'm excited to see where we go in the next few weeks. I hope that we've passed on to the younger girls the idea that it comes with hard work, but in the end it's worth it."
Hay also is excited about the Middle Atlantic Conference Championships, which will be held on Feb. 12-15 at York, Pa.
"Having so many seniors has been really valuable from an experience standpoint," said Hay. "We haven't had the opportunity to showcase what we are capable of, so I'm expecting significant drops when we reach the conference championships."
