University of Tennessee Athletics
Persson and Murphy Selected Swimming and Diving Team Co-Captains
September 24, 2008 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Sept. 24, 2008
The selection of captains this year for the men's swimming and diving team takes on a greater importance. This season's captains will be the first to lead their team in the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center.
Saturday, Aug. 30, head coach John Trembley sat his squad down in their new team room to select two of their teammates as captains. Shadowed by the 'Spirit of Tennessee Swimming and Diving,' a statement on the wall that embodies the swimming tradition at UT, the team selected seniors Barry Murphy and Jonas Persson as co-captains.
"We are very excited about the leadership, direction, and focus that both Jonas and Barry bring to the team this year," said head coach John Trembley. "They are committed students, fierce competitors, and have a keen desire to elevate our program to another level.
"Both are aware of the many traditions they will uphold as team co-captains. We have shared precisely how prestigious this position is. These men are experienced international competitors and know what it takes to be succesful. Our underclassmen need to follow their lead."
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Class: Senior
Major: Business Administration
Height/Weight: 6-2/180
Hometown (Previous school): Dublin, Ireland (Belvedere College)
Events: Breaststroke/freestyle
Accomplishments: • 13 time All-America
-2007: 200 freestyle relay, 400 freestyle relay, 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay
-2006: 200 freestyle relay, 400 freestyle relay, 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay
*Honorable mention All-America
• 2007 NCAA 3rd-place finish 200 medley relay
• 2007 NCAA 10th-place finish 100 breaststroke
• First Vol to have a 50 freestyle split time under 19 seconds
Spotlight on Barry Murphy:
What is it about Coach Trembley that makes him so successful? "He listens to his swimmers more than anything. He understands where we are coming from and understands what we need."
What is your favorite memory of being a swimmer at UT? "Last year, we beat defending national champions Auburn, and then Florida. That was pretty special. Our last two meets in the old pool were both victories, and sending it out with a pair of big wins was a great memory."
What is the most important thing you have learned while at Tennessee? "To live in the present. We are only guaranteed this moment. We can't be guaranteed tomorrow. There is no point living in the past, because we can't live in it, we can only live in the present."
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Class: Senior
Major: Marketing and International Business
Height/Weight: 6-4/220
Hometown (previous school): Malmô, Sweden (Univ. of Arizona)
Events: Freestyle
Accomplishments: • Six time All-America*
• Tennessee record holder in 200 freestyle
• Tennessee record holder in 4x800 freestyle
• European champion in 4x100 freestyle
• 2008 Olympic finalist in 4x100 freestyle, 5th place
• 2008 Olympic 13th-place finish in 100 freestyle
*All America selections while at Univ. of Tennessee
** Honorable mention All-America
Spotlight on Jonas Persson:
How do you mentally prepare for a meet? "I prepare every day for the upcoming season and I focus a lot on the goals I have made and those the team has made for our season."
What advice would you give upcoming swimmers at UT and future Vol swimmers? "Give 100 percent everyday. Take the steps you need to be successful, and look up to your seniors. You have to make sacrifices to be good at what you do, so don't be afraid of success.
How do you view your role as captain, and why do you think they selected you? "I can use my age and experience as a guide for the team. I guess they chose me because I am old. This is my fifth year, I have been around and had some successes."
Players Mentioned
