University of North Texas Athletics
2007-08 Swimming & Diving Outlook
1/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
DENTON, Texas (7/20/07) - After a season in which the Mean Green posted 17 of the school’s 21 records, the
“We’re ready to take a leap forward as far as what it takes to be an elite program,” said second-year head coach Joe Dykstra. “We had an introduction last year. This year we need to take an even bigger step forward.”
Fifteen letterwinners return from last season’s squad, including eight seniors. Hannah Bakke and Bonnie Garcia-Meitin are two seniors who are expected to lead the Mean Green throughout the 2007-08 season. Bakke broke the school record in the 100 breaststroke four separate times last season. She currently holds four of the school’s top-five times in the event and finished fourth at the SBC Championships.
Garcia-Meitin, a three-year letterwinner for the Mean Green, posted nine individual first-place finishes last season. She holds all five top times in school history in the 100 backstroke and the top four in the 200 backstroke. Garcia-Meitin also took part in three record-breaking relays last season.
“Bonnie (Garcia-Meitin) is in the best shape she’s ever been in to start a season. She’s highly motivated right now to finish her senior year making an NCAA consideration cut and really having a great season.”
“Nicki is light years ahead of where she was a year ago.” Dykstra said. “I expect for her to be a real strong force for us in the sprints. She learned so much last year and I think she’s ready to take on the role of being our dominant sprinter.”
Alicia Hale, who broke six school records as a freshman, will lead the Mean Green in the mid-distance freestyle and individual medley races. Hale finished fourth at the SBC Championships in the 200 free. Only one time last season did Hale fail to notch a first-place finish during a dual meet.
A total of 11 newcomers, seven freshmen and four transfers, will help add depth to the
“This class will make us a much deeper, and thus a more dangerous team in the region and in the Sun Belt Conference.” Dykstra said. “We’re now going to be able to put three swimmers in the water for each event who all give us a great chance of winning.”
Taryne Cantillo will bring experience and two years of eligibility to the Mean Green after transferring from Centenary where she won the team’s Swimmer of the Year honor as only a freshman. Originally from
Rosita Bado is another swimmer Dykstra expects to be an instant contributor in the backstroke and individual medley. Bado, from
Kelly Gordon was a four-year letterwinner at
The Mean Green returns two divers and welcome one newcomer to its diving program. New diving coach Summer Allman will help with the development of the current
With all the returning talent and new additions, the Mean Green is not shying away from some of the nation’s top programs.
“I think it says a lot about the program that those types of teams are willing to schedule us,” Dykstra said. “Scheduling these types of teams will help us in the long run as far as our preparation for the conference championships.”
