Congratulations to Stacy Sines on being named Player of the Week for her outstanding performance as a member of the women's swimming team. A junior from Wilmington, Delaware, Sines has contributed to the overwhelming undefeated success of the women's team this year. As of February 2, the women are 10-0 overall and 5-0 in the Centennial Conference.
"We have an amazing team this year with a lot of talent and different personalities," said Sines. "Every person on the team brings something special to the pool; it makes practicing and competing a lot of fun."
Sines felt that without the compassion and understanding from Head Coach Kim Lessard, the team would not be such a success.
"Very few coaches are understanding enough to say 'If you can't do it today, don't worry about it, just make it up on another day this week.'"
The focus on the serious side of training comes from Assistant Coach, Allen Gilchrest, who "gives me these hard sets and manages to keep the most serious face on the whole time," added Sines. "I know that he is laughing on the inside when we are all ready to die! He gives great advice on what you should be doing in the pool and out."
To prepare for the season, and to repeat the domination the team had last year, Sines was involved with a body balance program. It is a mixture of core stabilization and strengthening exercises that are done on a body ball. The program is to help find weaknesses and make them the athlete's strength.
The preparation has paid off, with Sines holding six top times on the team, helping to dominate against other schools in the 200, 500, 1,000, and 1,650 freestyle, as well as the 200 Individual Medley.
Last year, Sines took home two All-American honors for her performance in the Division III National Championships. A monumental achievement for Sines has been to break school records in the 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle and the 200 individual medley.
"Stacy is such a versatile swimmer that she is a great asset to the team," commented senior captain Vanessa Makarawicz. "Coach can tell her to go swim any event and not only will she swim it, but she'll do it with a smile."
Makarawicz added, "She'll give us that extra edge to achieve our ultimate goal of the conference championship."
When asked what she brings to the team, Sines took a different approach to the answer. "I think the question should be phrased 'what do they bring to me?' I am lucky enough to be on a team of accepting individuals," said Sines. "I don't know of many teams that would take you back after you transfer. This team has made me feel like I never left and has given me the support I need to come back and feel comfortable. They help me through the tough practices and pick me up if I have a bad race."
Come and see Stacy Sines and her undefeated conference leading Shorewomen teammates as they go up against Centennial Conference rival Swarthmore College on February 13 at 6:30p.m. here at WC.
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