Senior Perspectives - Jessica Ballard

Jessica Ballard:
"Since I've been at UB, I've had a lot of great times, just as many hard times, and I've learned more than I need to know. Although, when I look back on my four years here, all I can seem to think of is what I will be missing out on in the years to come.

My first two years weren't my best; not marked by any unfortunate events, but not marked by any good ones. It was some time during my third year, when I was pushed (forcefully...) by coaches and driven by my teammates, that I remembered how to swim, and remembered how much I love it.

I did not find any degree of closure in writing this. I am ready to sleep in, to go to class dry, to go out on Friday nights, and to spend an extra fifteen hours a week being bored out of my mind. But there are many more things that I am not ready to give up. In leaving, I am overcome most, not by relief or excitement or extreme ecstasy, but by jealously. Now more than ever, I want four more years. This team has endless amount of potential and will continue to excel. I wish I could be a part of it."

Jessica

Buffalo Women Honor Seniors in Final Home Competition

It was a day to honor the 10 seniors on the Women's Swimming & Diving team. Prior to the start of their last meet at UB, the coaches, team, family, and friends took several moments to recognize each of the seniors. These young ladies began their time at Buffalo as a class of 10 and will finish their swimming career as a closer, more experienced class of 10. An impressive feat, to say the least!

The meet began with a season-best performance by Jessica Ballard, Brynn Marecki, Jessie Koltz, and Caroline Simmons in the 200 medley relay (1:44.68). The fast swims didn't stop as both teams continued to post impressive performances. Senior Jessica Ballard posted season-best times in the 100 back (57.70) and 200 back (2:05.02), winning the 200 by 5 one-hundredths of a second. Caroline Simmons won the 50 free (23.64), the 100 free (51.60), and was a member of the winning 200 free relay. Jessie Koltz placed 2nd in the 50 free behind Simmons and won the 100 fly (57.10), while swimming on both winning relays.

Seniors Meili Carpenter and Ursula Jeske went 1-2 on both boards. Meili broke her school record on 3-meter (347.48) for the 3rd time this season. She also earned a score of 324.59 on 1-meter. Ursula posted scores of 210.37 on 3-meter and 195.37 on 1-meter.

Congratulations to our seniors (pictured from left to right): Emily Day, Sam Eckert, Jessica Ballard, Ursula Jeske, Laura Powalski, Caitlin Reilly, Sam Palma, Kim Dale, Meili Carpenter, and Ashley Schaffert.

Men Finish Dual Meet Season at Penn State

The UB Men's team finished the dual meet season on Friday against Penn State. This meet marked the first time in recent history that the Bulls have competed against a Big Ten team in a dual meet.

The Nittany Lions presented a great challenge as the team headed into the final weeks of preparation for the MAC Championships. Jared Heine posted a season-best time in the 50 free (21.47), taking 2nd place. Senior Zach Ruske took second in the 200 IM (1:55.43), while freshman Matt Schwippert had a season-best in the 200 back with a time of 1:50.82.

Divers Colin Patrican and Kenny Rhoades stepped up during the diving events, claiming a 1-2 finish on both boards. Colin placed 1st on 1-meter with a score of 286.20, while Kenny won the 3-meter competition with a season-best score of 346.45.

Senior Perspectives - Sam Eckert

Sam Eckert:
"I can't believe that I'm actually writing my senior blog and I'm sure my coaches and teammates are surprised as well. The first week of freshman year I got lapped in the 50 meter pool by everyone and didn't know how to use paddles. I had completely forgotten how to race and train after taking 9 months off of swimming just because "I didn't want to swim". I almost quit.

Going into sophomore year, I thought it would be my last. I wasn't very good and I didn't think that swimming was going to benefit me in any way. That year, the men's and women's teams got combined and we brought on 2 new coaches. I was lucky enough to move from the sprint group to the mid-distance group with Aaron Bell (the best and worst things of my college swimming career). I began swimming much better that year and learned how to use paddles :) I went into the MAC Championships thinking it was going to be my last championships ever. Surprisingly, I did way better than I thought I would so I decided to stay for another year.

Junior year started out rough. Once again, I almost quit. My coaches talked me through it and I made it through another successful season.

And now senior year. It would be stupid to quit now after making it so far and overcoming so many challenges and meeting so many great people. I am one of ten girls who have made it through the last four years of college swimming together and I am extremely proud of myself that I can be a part of that group. Looking back on the last four years, I would have never predicted that I would even make it, let alone learn more about myself and life. I have to thank my coaches, Andy, Aaron, Courtney, Mike, and James, who have spent so much time and energy picking me up when I'm down and encouraging me when I wanted to quit. I couldn't have done it without them. I have always felt "out of my league" swimming on UB's team, but I have been able to overcome those feelings and fit right in. YAY!"

GO BULLS!
Sam

Senior Perspectives - Meili Carpenter

Meili Carpenter:
"Thank you to each of my "dads" for keeping me in the race."

--Meili

Senior Perspectives - Emily Day

Emily Day:
"When asked to reflect on my four years as a student-athlete at the University at Buffalo, I could only think of one way to do it: Comparing it to the 200 freestyle. This race for me has been a learning experience in itself as well as my college career.

The first 50, a lot like freshman year. The excitement behind the blocks getting ready to race, thinking you know everything there is to know about it. There is nothing you want to do more than hop up, hear the beep set off and dive in, much like my anticipation for that first year of college. I was ready to go get away and experience "life". You hit the water, however, and wheels are spinning, kick is out of control and you find out how quickly you were not quite as prepared as you thought. Freshman year for me had its ups and downs but by keeping a steady eye on the coaching staff on the side, I was able to stick with that first 50.

Second 50: Because of that first 50, you realize how fast you went out. You take it back, slow it down, compensating for that first crazy 50. Sophomore year, I learned from what I had done as a freshman and settled down. Maybe even held back a bit but I wanted to make sure. That year felt good but I knew there was more to me that what I left in the pool. I was ready to try again!

Then that fourth turn hit, OUCH! Who likes the third 50 in the 200 free? But that is where the true athletes shine. For this 50, for this year, I have to split it. The first 25 was out. I breathed every stroke, I lost it. My junior year, I had a knee injury that took me out of the season. I had admitted defeat, let the injury get the best of me but when I hit that 5th turn, I knew things had to change. The race wasn't over. In fact, I had a whole 75 left. That summer, I did my best to get back to where I needed to be so by my senior year, that 6th turn, that last 50, I could go ALL OUT!

And so far, I have done it all to make senior year the best I could. With three weeks left, I have never felt so excited to finish out my career as a Buffalo Bull. What the coaches have taught me in and out of the the pool, I would have never gotten anywhere else. This last 50 will be my strongest and greatest. 'Everyone can bring it home.' It's time I drop the hammer!"

Emily Day

Ballard Named UB Female Athlete of the Week

Senior Jessica Ballard was named UB Female Athlete of the Week on Monday following her performances against St. Bonaventure and Bowling Green over the weekend. Jessica won the 200 breast against St. Bonaventure, as well as the 200 medley relay. On Saturday against Bowling Green, Jessica won the 200 free (1:53.33) and the 400 IM (4:29.13). In both swims, she posted season best times. She also was a member of the winning 200 medley relay, where she went 27.1 on the backstroke leg.

Congratulations Jessica!