University of Tennessee Athletics
Now is the Time: Mike Wright is Ready
April 28, 2010 | Men's Swimming & Diving
April 28, 2010
Drew Rutherford
UTsports.com
One year ago, the Tennessee swimming and diving team sat down to nominate team members to serve as captains. Michael Wright's name was in the mix--until he removed it, that is.
"He was nominated but took his name out because we were pretty sure he would redshirt," diving coach Dave Parrington said. "He declined because he didn't think it would be right to lead the team as a redshirt."
That wasn't the case when the team sat down to select captains this year. Again the Forest Park, Ill., native was nominated and this time he was elected. This came as no surprise to David Suba, Wright's former coach at Indian River State College.
"I'm not surprised at all," Suba said. "People take a liking to Mike right away. When he came in--as a freshman--he wasn't afraid to step and push people. He was a leader here right from the start."
To compliment his leadership skills, Wright boasts quite an impressive resume of athletic accomplishments. While under Suba's tutelage at Indian River, Wright claimed back-to-back National Junior College Athletics Association titles in both the one- and three-meter springboard events. He also set the NJCAA records in both events--both of which are still unmatched.
"He broke both of those records--and those were tough records to break," Suba said. "It was awesome."
Since arriving on The Hill in 2008, Wright continues to build on the foundation he started in community college. In his first season at Tennessee, Wright came up just shy of the school record on the one-meter.
During his second year, Wright redshirted in order to fully recover from a lingering back injury. While that held him out of competing at NCAA-sponsored events, it didn't restrict him from competing in other events.
While competing at the USA Diving Winter Nationals in February 2010, Wright claimed the one-meter national title while also scoring the highest one-meter mark in school history. But this distinguished athletic act became even more unique when USA Diving confirmed Wright was the first-ever African-American to win a USA Diving national championship.
Leadership skills: check. Athletic credentials: check. Wright's body of work hasn't gone unnoticed by his coaches.
"Mike Wright has certainly distinguished himself this year," head coach John Trembley said. "I think his success is a direct reflection of his work ethic."
"I am really optimistic about what he can do to lead this team," Parrington said. "I think the guys respect his athletic ability but they also know that he will be there cheering them on at all the big meets."
Obviously, his teammates agree with the assessments of the coaches.
"Mike Wright is a great guy and I think he'll be a great captain," Michael DeRocco, also elected a 2010-11 captain, said. "He is outgoing and a hard worker and I am really looking forward to working with him next year."
But no one is more excited about what the 2010-11 season holds than Wright himself.
"I learned a lot before I got here and I think I have a lot I can share with my teammates," Wright said. "I'm really excited to lead the team. We have a lot of guys with lots of potential--now is the time for them to step up and reach it."
If you believe what everyone is saying, that potential will be reached with Mike Wright leading the way.
Players Mentioned
