Saint Mary's Ramsey sets record in 100-yard butterfly
By JANEL MILLER
Sports Writer
The newest member of the Saint Mary's swimming and diving record book doesn't keep the word satisfaction in her vocabulary.
With only four collegiate meets under her belt, freshman Megan Ramsey has proven she's ready for the challenges of being a college athlete.
But she's not taking these challenges lightly.
Finally, after unofficially breaking three individual school records and one relay record earlier this season, Ramsey set an official school record this weekend.
Ramsey scored both the record and the first place at Wabash College Saturday in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of one minute, 2.13 seconds.
But Ramsey can't say she's that happy with her performance, even though she set the record, the time wasn't a season best.
"It feels great. It was getting annoying [about not getting official times] but I was confident and knew that I could do it again. But I'm a little disappointed because at my first meet I swam faster than I'm swimming now," said Ramsey.
It's all part of the transition from high school athlete to college athlete head coach Gretchen Hildebrandt said, "She's just frustrated because in high school swimmers are used to getting rest between meets, but in college you swim tired through the season and rest for championships."
Hildebrandt doesn't see Ramsey having trouble with the transition in the future.
She's an extremely hard worker.
She enjoys setting challenges for herself and she doesn't stop until she reaches them,"said Hildebrandt.
Having graduated from Michigan City High School early at the age of 16, Megan went on to Andover College Prepatory School in Massachusetts where she stood out as a student and athlete.
"I had my best year of swimming when I was there," said Ramsey .
According to Hildebrandt, Ramsey is not all individual — she's also a team player.
"She is very supportive of the whole team and works hard to be the best she can be for that team," Hildebrandt said.
Ramsey may have dominated Saturday's dual against Transylvania, but the rest of the Belles squad also posted solid performances.
Including Ramsey, the Belles had 13 season best times and came within nine points of a win over the women of Division II Transylvania University.
Senior co-captain Colleen Sullivan attributed the success to the attitudes that day.
"I think it helped that we were having fun at the meet. We were all in great spirits and it showed in our swims," said Sullivan.
Senior co-captain Olivia Smith contributed to the Belles with a second place bout in the 500- and 1000-yard freestyle events. Smith dropped tremendous time in the 500 according to Hildebrandt.
Smith teamed up with Ramsey to clinch a one-two finish in the 500 yard freestyle.
Sophomore Lane Herrington and freshman Elizabeth Doro also came out with a one-two finish in the 50 yard freestyle.
A pair of second and third combos by Sullivan and freshman Maureen Palchak in the 200 yard freestyle and sophomore Lauren Smith and freshman Katy Lebiedz in the 100 yard breaststroke wrapped up the meet along with a strong performance on both the one- and three-meter boards for diver Ryann Cox.
All Sports Stories for Monday, November 13, 2000
