What is muscular, scantily clad, and wet all over?
Ew! Get your mind out of the gutter! It’s the SMU Men’s Swimming and Diving Team, of course. After recently attending one of their meets, we have decided to highlight the top five reasons why we think our Men’s Swimming and Diving team is just that awesome.
Gorgeous men with bodies like Greek gods.
For girls: enough said. For other men out there: inspiration. Sorry guys, but as two women writing this article, that had to be our top reason. No judging us! We are only human.
Because they win!
Although our football team gave an award-winning comeback this season that everyone should be pumped about, the swim team has been on top of its game for a lot longer. Arguably one of the most accomplished teams on campus, they have been ranked in the top 25 for the past 10 years. This year they are ranked 23rd out of hundreds of teams in the NCAA. Way to go boys!
The Joe Perkins Natatorium.
Have you ever wondered what SMU looked like in the 1950s? The natatorium, completed in 1959, is the perfect place to experience vintage SMU. In a world full of modern buildings and high tech equipment, it is always good to get back to the basics and appreciate how things were back then. This natatorium is home to the nationally renowned Dallas Morning News Classic at Perkins, which takes place each January. The Classic consists of several sprint events among six of the nation’s top teams. The history made in this building is not something to overlook. Many school records have been set in each of the lanes, along with the rise of many world-class swimmers who later went on to race in the Olympics.
You’re in the presence of past and future Olympians, Hall of Famers, and All-Americans!
SMU has had a swimmer compete in each Olympic games since 1968. Also, George McMillan and Jerry Heidenreich, SMU swimming alums, recently were inducted into the Texas Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame. Impressive, but it doesn’t end there. This year, several members of the team received the honor of being named All-American. Shout go out to Pontus Renholm, Thomas Fadness, and Greg Doughty for this great achievement.
Free admission!
Being an SMU student can get you a lot of perks, one of those being free tickets to sporting events. If you are tired of spending $10 on a movie ticket or $20 dollars for sushi, watching our Mustangs go head-to-head with other top schools in the nation for free should definitely keep your wallet full.
The team’s next meet is against the University of Texas this Saturday, February 6th, at 5 PM in our very own Perkins Natatorium. The night will be memorable as our seniors are presented to the crowd for one last time at Senior Night. Since Texas is ranked number one this year, a thrilling and exciting match is likely to ensue.
We expect to see all of your smiling faces alongside ours this Saturday to support the hottest–we mean best–sports team on this campus.
Pony up, Mustangs!
Samantha Verrill is a junior journalism major and Samantha Cangelosi is a sophomore journalism major. They can be reached for comment at [email protected] and [email protected], respectively.
