University of Tennessee Athletics
Q and A with Coach Trembley
October 14, 2003 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Oct. 14, 2003
YOU HAVE SIGNED ONE OF YOUR LARGEST RECRUITING CLASSES. HOW DO YOU FEEL THEY WILL CONTRIBUTE AND WILL THEY BE A FACTOR RIGHT AWAY?
Yes. Certainly Jevon Tarantino, who has demonstrated to be arguably the finest diver available in the world coming to college this year, will have an immediate impact. We have balance in our freshman class, covering all strokes and all distances, so we are very, very excited about this large and talented group. Additionally, we have an unprecedented three Honor scholar students entering our Honors Program, which is very exciting.
THE DIVING PROGRAM CONTRIBUTED A LOT LAST YEAR. WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM THEM THIS SEASON?
Well, we do return Phil Jones, NCAA champion and SEC champion. We expect him to take great leadership over the younger divers. Kevin Manecke becomes eligible this year, an extremely talented diver we expect to score at NCAAs. Jevon Tarantino, of course, we have already mentioned. Young John Venditti continues to get stronger and progress. We expect all four to find their way to NCAAs and score.
WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS OF THIS YEAR'S TEAM?
Hard work, clean life and fair play. We have a very young group. We want to get them started on the right foot and build great strength for not only this season, but the seasons to come. We have a lot of work to do.
WHO ARE YOU LOOKING FOR TO CONTRIBUTE THE MOST?
Our seniors. We have a small, but very talented class of senior swimmers who must step to the forefront of this team and take leadership. While we always have had good senior leadership, I never have been completely satisfied. I suspect this year we run the best opportunity of having that happen.
HOW DO YOU FEEL THE TEAM WILL SHAPE UP IN THE SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS THIS YEAR?
It will be a different year at SECs, of course, with Olympic Trials in the back of all our minds. We have several Americans, as well as international competitors, who must keep that focus intact. The NCAA Championships this year is short course meters, which will change our training protocol a bit. We expect to be fighting for individual, team titles, relay titles and the championship. Battles are always on our immediate list of expectations.
CAN TENNESSEE CONTINUE ITS TRADITION AND FINISH STRONG AT THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS?
Yes, of course, we have traditionally been in the top 10, occasionally in the top five in recent years. Last year, a relay disqualification and our most outstanding athlete breaking his leg in January impaired our national finish. We have very good team balance. There is a lot of excitement at the university and nationwide relative to our new $22 million aquatic complex, starting in January 2004, and the momentum is beginning to build for the Tennessee Volunteers!
Players Mentioned
