COLUMBUS, Ohio - A dedication to the program coupled with the skills and desire to be a leader are the prevalent traits in the four senior swimmers - Megan Alexander, Jill Lockhart, Haley Mitchell and MaryAnn Wiser - who have been selected by their peers to serve as 2009-10 Ohio State women's swimming captains. Ohio State second-year head coach Bill Dorenkott announced the results of the team vote today.
Add the traits intelligent, well-informed, driven-to-succeed and highly motivated to each of the student-athlete's impressive personal resumes as well. That's because all four have earned multiple honors as an OSU Scholar-Athlete and as an Academic All-Big Ten selection and all are well on the way to achieving degrees from Ohio State that will put them in a position to achieve career goals and much more.
Alexander is a pharmaceutical sciences major from Columbus who hopes to go either to pharmacy or medical school after graduation. Lockhart, from Muncie, Ind., is majoring in strategic communication with visions of a career in community relations. Mitchell is a business marketing major from Walled Lake, Mich., who would like to work in the non-profit sector after graduation, preferably with a cancer research organization. And Wiser, from Greenwood, Ind., is majoring in speech and hearing sciences and plans on attending graduate school to earn her doctorate in audiology.
"It is quite an honor and responsibility to be chosen by your teammates to lead them," Dorenkott said. "I am confident and comfortable in Haley, Megan, Jill and MaryAnn's ability and desire to lead this team. They are a nice blend of vocal leadership as well as leaders by example."
Alexander, who swam in two championship finals at the 2009 Big Ten championships, hopes she and the three other captains can lead the Buckeyes to much success in the coming year.
"To be chosen for this position means so much because it is our peers who voted for us," Alexander, who holds the school records in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke events, said. "It is overwhelming to know that a group of people you are in contact with on a daily basis think highly of you. I am looking forward to working with the three other captains to encourage this team to reach the level of success we all know we are capable of achieving."
Lockhart is a team captain for the second consecutive year. She is coming off a junior season in which she scored in three events at the Big Ten championships - 100 backstroke and 200 and 400 IMs, respectively. She is proud to be named a captain again.
"Being named captain is a great honor and a role I take with pride," Lockhart said. "Having this level of respect and confidence from my teammates and coaches is something I value very much."
Mitchell, part of the school record-breaking 200 medley relay squad that scored points for the Buckeyes at the 2009 Big Ten championships, is coming off a terrific summer that included a multiple gold-medal performance at the Maccabiah Games in Israel. She is pleased to be a captain and is ready for an exciting season.
"I am extremely honored to be named a captain this year," Mitchell said. "I have great co-captains and teammates and I am looking forward to a wonderful and successful season!"
Wiser clearly adapted well to the team's new coaches last year - Dorenkott is assisted by four-time NCAA champion Stefanie Williams - as she lowered her personal best times in three events, the 200 freestyle and 100 and 200 backstrokes, respectively, as a junior. She feels this season has the potential to be special.
"It is great to have been voted captain by my peers," Wiser said. "I know that it probably was not an easy decision because there are so many girls on the team that have taken on leadership roles this year. This is a great group of hard working girls and I am honored that I get the opportunity to represent them. As for Jill, Megan, and Haley, I could not have asked for a more passionate group of seniors to work alongside this year as a captain. This is going to be a special year."
Dorenkott addressed one final, important trait that each of the team's captains possess, one that will serve them well as they lead this team this year and one that will certainly help them in the future: loyalty.
"Before you can be a good leader you need to be a good follower," Dorenkott said. "All four of these young ladies have shown loyalty to the university and program while preparing for their opportunity to direct our efforts."
Click on the "View Photos" link above to see a photo album featuring the senior captains.
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