The DePauw girls’s swimming and diving train, Shea Davisson, broke Denison University’s three-12 months streak of having the conference Coach of the Year as she changed into named Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year through the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC). Davisson, upon completing her 1/3 season as head coach, stated she by no means expected to get hold of such an honorable fulfillment. Larger applications like Denison and Kenyon College are commonly diagnosed, but Davisson led DePauw women’s swimming to an honorable 1/3-area end at ultimate month’s NCAC Championships, which brought about her honor. The Tigers earned 1,194.5 factors, a complete that has now not been matched for the reason that 2011-2012 swimming season. Senior Marihelen Gallagher credits her growth as a swimmer and individual to Davisson’s efforts. “She advocated me to speak up for and provide my input on my own swimming and things I thought have been going nicely and matters that weren’t,” she said. “Once I observed my voice and turned into capable of supply comments, my swimming improved immensely.” Gallagher is one in every of 3 individuals of the girls’s swim group who can be graduating in May. In evaluation to Davisson’s reaction, Gallagher become not surprised within the slightest while the award became announced.
The team has improved every year considering the fact that teach Davisson’s arrival and their strong brotherly love was the riding pressure of the season. Davisson stated her motivation to grow to be a higher coach comes from her dedication and being concerned nature. “I honestly rely on their feedback approximately what I can do to assist them even extra,” she said. “I’m here to make certain they’re having a properly-rounded, balanced college revel in. I just want to make certain they feel like they’re getting what they want.” Reflecting again on the yr, Davisson recalled many memorable moments throughout the season, but she stated one stuck out slightly extra than the others. The Wabash College Invitational serves because the mid-season meet, and the group was aiming to vicinity as a minimum 1/3 among the opposition. Before the closing session, the Tigers were in fourth vicinity by means of a small margin. Davisson remembers the team organically rallying collectively and retaining excessive strength to be able to beat Albion College and ultimately location 1/3. Accomplishments at mid-season and convention had been a end result of difficult paintings, teamwork and leadership. Although the team loses Gallagher and senior Mary Woods, they go back NCAC Championships point scorers Molly Ruggles, Ali Tallen, Mari Karmel, Nuna Bamatraf, Sammie Waples, Allison Lund and Ash Dapore. Davisson believes the team is younger, proficient, and capable of achieve success next yr as well.
