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Tankers are men among children

The freshman members of the Michigan men's swimming team may not have earned "big men on campus" distinction like some of their world-class, Olympic-caliber teammates.

But this weekend, a handful of freshmen swimmers proved they were capable of performing like men among children, literally.

The Michigan Open, held this weekend at Canham Natatorium and co-hosted by the Ann Arbor Swim Club and the Michigan, was an age-divisional meet, with participants ranging from youth to senior, for both girls and boys.

Several Wolverine swimmers took to the lanes in the senior division heats, competing for the last time this season.

"The meet really gives (the younger swimmers on our team) a chance to unwind after the season," coach Jon Urbanchek said. "It is a good season-ending meet for those on our team who will not be competing in the Olympic Trials or at NCAAs."

Despite the lack of team awards, the meet was no less important for those who competed.

"The point in the meet is to try to make (national qualifying times) and just to better our personal times," freshman Dawson Hughes said. "The meet is a great end to the season and gives us a chance to look forward to next season."

The open-aged format contrasted with collegiate dual meets the Wolverines have competed in this season.

"These are the types of meets I was swimming before I came to college, so it was a little weird to be back in the same atmosphere after competing in (college) dual meets," Hughes said.

The role of a freshman on the defending national champion squad is a difficult one. The swimmers put in the same hours at the pool, but with the exception of a few freshmen, do not get equal time on the award podium.

But their role is no less important to the team.

"Some freshmen can immediately contribute to the team score," Urbanchek said. "With the other freshmen, we need to nurture them to contribute along the road."

The swimming and diving team is allotted only 9.9 scholarships each year, so walk-ons fill a majority of the roster.

"(Walk-ons) are equally as important (as scholarship swimmers)," Urbanchek said. "With such a limited number of scholarships, the role of a walk-on is really important."

The freshmen learned that Michigan swimming is a team sport.

"At the beginning of the season, the upperclassmen treated us hard to stress the importance of the team," freshman David Stephens said. "It was really tough, but it's been worth it to be part of the team, being able to swim with guys who are going to the Olympics and are the best in the world."

Although you may not have read their names in the paper, the freshmen swimmers are really no different from the veteran Wolverines.

"The young swimmers (at this weekend's meet) may not have known us as much as the big names in Michigan swimming like Tom Dolan and John Piersma, but when they see a Michigan cap, they still think it's cool to swim against us," Hughes said.