University Daily Kansan, December 3, 1981
Page 3
Swimmers are achievers in and out of water
By EILEEN MARKEY Staff Reporter
At 6:30 on a cold fall morning, the
campus is enveloped in darkness. A few
ambitious runners race through the
fallen leaves and across wide paths,
turning back toward the sun.
At Robinson Center, however, the steam of hard labor forms on the pool-length window of the Natatorium. In the morning takes on a new image.
Swimmers with goggled faces churn up and down the lanes of both pools, their arms and legs flashing in and out of the water in symmetrical hard labor. After a brief rest at 7 a.m., the intensity of the workout increases. The swimmer backs glow bright red as he lifts himself into water. The steam on the window thickens, obscuring the growing light of the world outside.
Swimmers are a different breed of collegiate athlete. They are not aspiring to be professional. They get little media attention. No matter how much they know, the few attain society's respect and admiration except at the Olympics.
run that in mind, why then do they immerse themselves in cold chlorinated water for 10 hours a thick layer of the ice during the thick black line on the bottom of the pool?
THEY SAY they like it—but they don'treally know why.
"For me, 'why' has always been the hardest question," sophomore swimmer Jay Engel said. "I guess swimming is something I'm good at and I've gotten some things out of it. I don't know what makes me strive for perfection, maybe some people are talented at being motivated."
Coaches and educators say that swimming is one example of an athlete's overall desire to achieve in everything he does. Swimming, they say, involves more than just weights and workouts. It gives athletes more confidence in themselves and hair. Most importantly, they say, swimming and the traits it develops propel students through the water and into a successful adult life.
"The sport of swimming develops traits that become really important later on." KU swimming coach Gary Kempel said, "It's for everyone. You have to strive to reach potential every day and work yourself hard.
Kempf referred to traits that educators like Joseph Renzulli say are linked to giftedness and success in all young adults—whether they be swimmers, dancers or extraordinary academic achievers.
"I'd have to say that there are a lot of parallels between commitment to sports and giftedness in students," said Renzulli, a professor of education and psychological research at the University of Connecticut. "Swimmers are a good example of self-motivated achievers."
Renzulli said that swimmers, because most of them have been immersed in the activity since they were born, might exhibit a trait called task commitment.
"It's not really a preselection criterion for giftedness, but in some people it emerges early and usually at a later stage, because of a particular circumstance."
Renzuli also said that a role model was an important factor in prompting task commitment.
"It in the case of swimmers, for example, it could be anybody—a coach, parent, brother or sports hero," he said. "It has to be a pretty strong personality."
KEMPF, who was a KU swimmer from 1972-76, agreed.
"Sure I think role models are influential," he said. "I had a brother who swam at KU. He was an All-American."
Renzulli also said that creativity, above-average intelligence and the revolving-door theory also prompted task commitment.
"The revolving door is what causes someone to get involved in an advanced or above-average activity," Renzuil said. "It could apply to anything from advance scientific study to Olympic training."
Renzuli said that the revolving door was usually opened by supportive parents, creative teachers and role models.
"There has to be fun in the journey," Nashville Aquatic Club coach Ron Young said. "Here we make it fun on a day-to-basis with special events for birthdays, with tournaments and all kind of crazy stuff."
YOUNG'S PROGRAM has turned out such swimming superstars as Tracy Caulkins, who led the U.S. women's national team to the 1978 World Championship victory when she was only 15. She also holds 31 national age-group titles and has broken 51 American records.
"The businesses in the town of the parents, the families are all involved in supporting our success," Young said. "The other town is far from any other town I've worked in."
Young said that Renzulli's task commitment theor was applicable to
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his swimmers. As students, he said, their success showed not only in swimming but in academics too.
Kristen, Nassau, agree.
"Our men's swim team had an overall 3.0 grade point average last spring," he said.
"Most of my high school participants are in the top quartier of their class," he said. "They're always mature and they've developed at a young age."
JAY ENGLER, from Des Moines, in the 1980 Iowa Senior Scholastic Swimmer of the year. Like Neugent, he has been swimming since he was 8. But his first priority now is academic achievement.
Both swimmers said that they didn't think they were socially alienated or disadvantaged by their busy schedules.
"For me, studying will always come first," he said. "But I don't see a big conflict between studying and awakening — a way to motivate myself to do both."
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Neugent is, in estimation of Kempf,
an Olympic-caliber athlete and his goal
is to qualify again in 1984.
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In comparison, according to the registrar's office, the overall spring GPA for KU undergraduates was 7.68.
Kempf said that the swim team's average was the highest it had been for a few years.
"I think it's because the athletes are realizing the importance of good academic achievement. Swimming and diving will help well in one will promote the other."
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Neugent, however, admitted that the team was slightly alienated from other students, but not any more than other cliques or living groups.
"I think it's great," Engel said. "I came here as a freshman and had 19 instant friends--that's not the case with a lot of other people."
Coach Kempf agreed.
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But are the athletes happy? Does 20 hours a week of hard work and the pressure of keeping high grades alienate them from the world outside?
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of 3.85. He is studying engineering at KU and was in pre-med at SMU.
"I answer that question a lot," he said. "They do spend most of their time together, but they're working toward a common goal for the next couple of years. At this time, and for what reason, it is important to work together."
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THE ATHLETES themselves seem happy despite their intense daily regimen. They work out every morning for an hour and every afternoon for two days, between that time, they attend classes and lift weights three times a week.
Kempf says no.
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Neugent transferred to KU last fail after training a year for the Olympics. He competed at Southern Methodist University his freshman year. He has been swimming age-group AAU in Wichita since he was 8.
"I don't think I could ever quit," KU swimmer Ren Neugent said. "It just wouldn't fit. I'd feel out of shape. I use feelless."
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Last year he was ineligible to match at KU because of the transfer, but he was in intensive training with the KU team. He was the first time same time he earned a semester GPA
"I've put so much time into it," he said. "It's been my whole life and right now I'm just getting to the fun part. It's just starting to pay off."
Neugent's payoff has been impressive. Last year he was selected for the 1980 Olympic team but didn't compete because of the U.S. boycott. He has traveled to Russia, Hawaii and California for international competition. In 1979 he was selected as an NCAA All-American while at SMU.
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"I guess in a sense we are alienated, but we socialize and we are close to one another," he said. "It's sort of like being in a fraternity. We spend so much time together that I feel like it but it makes you responsible. You know what you do affects the whole team."
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Drawing Dec. 12
Worlds of Fun in Kansas City will soon conduct an audition tour throughout the Midwest in search of performers to be featured in the spectacular musical productions of our exciting 1982 tenth anniversary season. If selected, you can earn over $4,800 performing six days per week in the summer, and weekends in the spring and fall. Many of our former cast members have used their experience at Worlds of Fun as a stepping stone to performing careers in New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.
Come see if you are good enough. It can be a great summer job, or The First Step. It's fun, professional experience, and great exposure more than 1.400.000 Worlds of Fun visitors are waiting to discover you!
The Closest Audition:
LAWRENCE, KANSAS Kansas University
Thursday, January 14, 1982 3:30-6:00 p.m.
Kansas Union — Big Eight Room
Should you be unable to attend this one, we will also conduct auditions in Kansas City on January 9. 16. 17. and 19
For more information and a complete audition schedule, contact the Show Productions Department. Wonders of Fun 4545 Worlds of Fun Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri. 64161 (816) 459-9276
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No jobare available for dramatic actors, or instrumentalists.