2015-16 Season Preview: Women's Swimming & Diving
9/23/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming & Diving
Sept. 23, 2015
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2015-16 OUTLOOK
The 2015-16 roster might be considered shallow with only 28 student-athletes, but there is no shortage of impact performers or experience. More than half the roster (16 of 28) is juniors and seniors.
It starts with the eight-person senior class that includes several All-Big Ten performers in Ali DeLoof and Marni Oldershaw. DeLoof finaled in all three of her individual events at last year's Big Ten Championships (including a runner-up finish in the 100-yard freestyle), while Oldershaw is only one year removed from being an NCAA All-American in the 200-yard individual medley as a sophomore. In addition, Zoe Mattingly has proven to be one of the most versatile swimmers on the roster, capable of swimming freestyle, butterfly and backstroke.
Last year's freshman class -- now sophomores -- was the most talked about a year ago and for good reason. Three of them set school records in their first seasons, including Clara Smiddy (200-yard freestyle, 100-yard backstroke, 200-yard backstroke), Gillian Ryan (500-yard freestyle) and Emily Kopas (200-yard breaststroke). Smiddy and Ryan built off their collegiate seasons with great summers representing the U.S. in international competition, as each won two medals at the Pan American Games in Toronto. Gabby DeLoof is also poised for a breakout after finishing ninth in the 200-meter backstroke at the Phillips 66 National Championships to end the summer, setting a school record (long course meters) in the process.
The diving contingent is also experienced with three seniors and one junior. Three of the divers -- Sarah Kamstra, Keegan McCaffrey and Nicole Honey (who redshirted last year) -- qualified for the USA Diving National Championships this summer on platform, an event which is becoming a focus for second-year diving coach Mike Hilde.
For the second year in a row, Michigan is bringing in a top-notch freshman class, which includes a pair of internationals from Hong Kong in Siobhán Haughey (freestyle) and Jamie Yeung (breaststroke). Haughey is coming off a summer in which she represented Hong Kong at the FINA World Championships and qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
STUDENT-ATHLETES TO WATCH
Clara Smiddy, Sophomore -- After an outstanding first collegiate season and an award-winning summer, Smiddy looks to take the next step as a sophomore. She was one of the team's best swimmers a year ago, earning four NCAA All-America honorable mentions and winning a Big Ten title in the 200-yard IM. This past summer, Smiddy won bronze medals in the 100-meter backstroke and 200-meter backstroke for Team USA at the Pan American Games and finaled in both events at the Phillips 66 National Championships.
Ali DeLoof, Senior -- One of the team's senior leaders, DeLoof has transformed herself into a very good sprint freestyler, holding school records in the 100-yard freestyle and 100-meter backstroke. She will swim alongside her younger sisters, Gabby DeLoof and Catie DeLoof, in her final collegiate season.
Siobhán Haughey, Freshman -- A native of Hong Kong, Haughey has potential to make an immediate impact for Michigan. She has extensive international experience -- including the 2015 FINA World Championships -- and has already qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Ali DeLoof (left) // Marni Oldershaw (right)
KEY COMPETITION
Feb. 17-20 -- host Big Ten Championships (Canham Natatorium)
The Wolverines have not won a Big Ten title since 2004 but are looking to break that streak this year when they welcome the conference's best to Canham Natatorium. They last hosted the conference meet in 2009.
QUOTABLE
Michigan head coach Mike Bottom
On the fourth year of having a combined program ... "The women are as focused as I've ever seen them. As a team, they've pulled together, both men and women. We had a great pre-season camping trip, and they were the ones who chose to work together. There was no coercion by the coaches. It was more of the captains and leaders putting together a powerful group of individuals who have formed the Michigan men's and women's swimming and diving team."
2014-15 RECAP
The women's swimming and diving team continued to make progress in its third year under the direction of head coach Mike Bottom, finishing third at the Big Ten Championships and 22nd at the NCAA Championships, the program's highest finishes at those respective meets in five years. The Wolverines went 9-0 in dual meets for the first time in 17 years, including a perfect 7-0 mark against Big Ten opponents. Diver Carey Chen became the fourth U-M diver in history to earn NCAA All-America honors, finishing eighth on platform.
Players Mentioned
