Senior Tony Caldwell and freshman Adam Petro may have had spring break plans, but their travel will be extended by a week. Both Wabash swimmers have qualified for the NCAA Division III National Championship Meet to be held at the University of Houston Campus Recreational Fitness and Wellness Center March 15-17.
Caldwell (photo left) and Petro signal a return by Wabash to the national meet for the first time since Craig Haupert '04 qualified in the 100-yard breaststroke in 2001. Caldwell made the national cut in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 51.88, the 11th-best time posted among the field of athletes set to compete. Petro has the 17th-best qualifying time in the 200-yard butterfly with a mark of 1:53.73.
Wabash Head Coach Peter Casares knows what it takes to compete at the nationals. An All-American swimmer at Gettysburg College, Casares also served as a coach at national powerhouse Kenyon College prior to coming to Wabash.
"This is really the culmination of four years of sacrifice and hard work by every member of the Wabash College swimming program," Casares said. "Every single member had a part in this achievement. We work together to get better every day in practice, and we push each other to excel in every meet.
"Individually this is a phenomenal tribute to Tony and Adam's hard work and talent. For a senior like Tony to finish his career with a trip to the nationals is tremendous. Its' terribly exciting for Adam (photo right) to qualify as a freshman. He can return from this meet and bring some additional excitement to our program. I know other guys will share in the passion to go with Adam to nationals next year."
The pair have continued to practice daily with their teammates, waiting for Thursday's preliminary announcement of the championship field. The final heat sheet and official announcement comes Friday morning.
Both swimmers will attend a banquet in Houston prior to the meet to celebrate the accomplishments of the entire field of men competing over the three-day meet before hitting the water for the final time this season.
"It's a blast," Casares added. "You get a chance to swim in one of the fastest pools in the nation against the best competition in Division III. It's a moment to embrace. Both Tony and Adam have what it takes to compete at this level. They deserve this opportunity."
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