University of Tennessee Athletics
Q & A With Tennessee Swimming Coach John Trembley
September 11, 2002 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Sept. 11, 2002
You have signed one of the largest recruiting classes. How much do you think they will contribute and will the be a factor this season?
This class of freshmen, intermixed with a few transfers, is large and talented. The youth and excitement definitely will contribute and infuse even more excitement into the returning team members. With the talent of this freshman group, we look to them to impact our team standing immediately. This group will be a special class. The bonding they have had to this point is incredible and actually unprecedented.
The Vols' diving program contributed a lot last year. What do you expect from the diving squad this year?
Our diving program is arguably the best or one of the best in America. The tradition of NCAA champions, NCAA finalists, Olympic divers, Commonwealth champions, and the coaching Dave Parrington gives to those athletes are all incredible. We are a swimming and diving program. Our athletes work together, support each other, and that is unusual in NCAA swimming and diving circles.
What do expect the strengths of this year's team going to be?
The strengths of this year's team will be balance. While we do not have the depth in all events we would like to have, but we anticipate that will come in time, we have a good mix in the distance, middle distance, sprints, diving, and strokes. We feel very good about the balance this team can bring to the table.
Who do expect to make the largest contribution this season?
No one person will contribute the most this year. This year, more than any, we will build the team that all players, swimmers or divers will only wish they could be a part of. The real leader will be the team.
Who are you looking to as team leaders this season?
We have six seniors this year. They bring an interesting mix of racing experience, some international, some national to our team. Of course, out of that senior class, we expect strong leadership from all of them with their individual strengths being highlighted. We have captains who understand their role, which has been defined clearly by the coaches, and actually the team itself.
How do you see this year's Southeastern Conference race?
It is very early to tell anything about the Southeastern Conference Championship. We anticipate having at least a few mid-year arrivals, which will definitely strengthen the quality of this team and which we hope will actually affect team dynamics positively. We will be as we always are fighting for the championship at the Southeastern Conference meet.
Can Tennessee continue its strong swimming and diving tradition this season?
Tennessee has been fortunate to win one NCAA championship, have 13 Top 5 finishes. We are clearly one of the top traditions in swimming and diving in the history of the NCAA's. That is a point not lost on our recruits, current team members, and alumni, particularly with the new $20 million aquatic complex, which will be under roof and completed in 2004. We anticipate possibly a better future than the outstanding past. Needless to say, we are very excited.
