SPORTS BLOG BY COACH TOMMY ORNDORFF - THE WEEK THAT WAS
Some of the more popular blogs through the years have been Q&A sit-downs with our coaches. That noted, this week's The Week That Was continues that tradition with an interview with swimming head coach Joe Smolinske.
THE WEEK THAT WAS: You are a first-year head coach on the scholastic level here at O'Connell. Give us – the readers and myself – a little background on yourself.
COACH JOE SMOLINSKE: I began swimming at age five and continued through high school and into college at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. After graduating, I studied Sport Administration at Xavier University, where I earned a Master of Education, while also serving as a graduate assistant coach for the men's and women's swimming teams.
TWTW: And how did it go? Are you pleased with the season so far? What have you learned about yourself and your team over the last couple months?
COACH SMOLINSKE: I'm very pleased with the direction of the team. We have over 65 student/athletes, and each of them brings a unique set of talents to the program. The team is very young, and our freshman and sophomore classes will need to step up these last few weeks and especially next season.
TWTW: Swimming has been unique through the years in that it has been a non-cut sport, one of the few at the school. It is my understanding that you have instilled some new guidelines/requirements for participation. Would you mind sharing those with us?
COACH SMOLINSKE: We are a non-cut sport, but we do require all of our members to attend every meet, unless they had a prior academic or family engagement.
TWTW: Talk to me a little bit about the team itself, really summing up how the season went and what the future holds for both programs – the boys and the girls, both in swimming and diving. Share with us any highlights on the season to date.
COACH SMOLINSKE: The team has had a LOT of fun this season! We return most of the team next season, but will have to replace some of our top performers in swimming and in diving. The highlight for both teams was defeating Bishop Ireton before the holidays.
TWTW: Who are our top swimmers, and why are they so? Be specific, discussing each's event (or events) and what makes 'em special? Why are these swimmers who they are? Include both individuals and relay teams if it pertains. Same for the diving team, who are our top divers and why?
COACH SMOLINSKE: Our top swimmer is Maddie Donohoe. She's incredibly gifted. Maddie was asked to participate in the Olympic Trials this past summer. Maddie works continuously to perfect her craft. She's competitive, relentless, determined and will likely break several school records before graduating. Our top diver is Danny Metzmaier. Danny has been diving for several years, but has taken his talent to a new level this season, adding two new dives to his repertoire. He should perform well at the State Championship.
TWTW: Looking at the season in its entirety, are you pleased with how the 2016-17 campaign has transpired? Any surprises or major disappointments?
COACH SMOLINSKE: We lost/tied a few very close meets, but overall I'm pleased with how the teams have performed. We have to continue to work hard in the water, but also need to perform better out of the pool – eating better, monitoring our sleep habits more regularly, and adding some weight lifting to our overall training program.
TWTW: What are your goals for the program, both the immediate future and long range?
COACH SMOLINSKE: We don't try to look too far ahead. For now, we're focused on qualifying as many individuals as possible for the State Championship and hope to finish in the Top 8 as a team.
This is Tommy Orndorff, and that was The Week That Was.