When it comes to making a splash, the Athenas swimming and diving teams are old pros. During their annual Nothing Normal party, the teams dress in garb ranging from leopard print tights to superhero costumes. Then there’s the rumor that once a year, they make a nightly pilgrimage to the pool in nothing but their birthday suits. These adventure-seekers have never shied away from team cheer, perched atop dining tables in the Claremont cafeteria, boisterously announcing their next meet to all the fellow diners. Yes, it’s true; the Athenas aquatic team is a crazy bunch. But can they back up the outlandish behavior with true athletic prowess and accomplishment?
To answer that question, take a trip straight to the record books. These swimmers are not only undefeated for 24 consecutive dual meets against other NCAA Division III schools, but they have won the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Championships for the last four years, causing them to adopt Aristotle’s quote as their motto: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” These women are certainly in the habit of excellence, figuratively setting the pool on fire with their speed.
The Athenas competed fiercely against all conference opponents in the regular season this year, beating teams by an average of 134 points and posting a perfect 7-0 SCIAC record. At this year’s SCIAC Championships, the Athenas swam away with the title, beating the next closest opponent by a landslide 459 points and winning 10 out of the 20 events. Along the way the Athenas racked up two new SCIAC records set by the 400-free relay team and by Sarah Heine (CMC ’08) in the 100 freestyle. In addition, four CMS Athenas records were broken in the previously mentioned events and the 200- and 800-free relays. These outstanding performances, and the competition of all involved Athenas, propelled the Athenas towards their fourth straight SCIAC title. The nine swimmers who qualified for the NCAA national meet will head to Minneapolis to compete on March 9.
So what exactly is the Athenas’ key to success? Scripps senior Marissa Root, who has been a member of the team since her first year in college, explains that the bond these teammates share goes beyond the water. “It’s fun to hang out with people who understand what you’re going through; you’re all working really hard at school and in the pool, and you have other things going on in your life.”
Root also credits head coach Charlie Griffiths, in his fifth season with the Athenas, for training the team for success. Griffiths has turned the program around since his arrival, with the Athenas winning the first of their four consecutive SCIAC Championships in 2003. “Charlie has made this team what it is; a team that is uncontested in the league. We haven’t lost a SCIAC dual meet since I’ve been here,” notes Root.
Other Scrippsies on the team include swimmers Emily Rees ’07 and Liz Hatayama ’08, and divers Kat Shultis ’07, Julie Cooper ’07, and Amanda Ries ’08.
Congratulations to the Athenas for their tradition of excellence. Not only are they in position to set the pool on fire with their lightning quick speed, but they are sure to have a lot of fun while they’re at it.