Albion’s swim and dive teams were still getting used to their routines at the beginning of the season. Eight swimmers had graduated, 15 first-years had joined and the transition to collegiate competition created what head coach Eric Murray called a “learning curve.”
With the teams’ last meet of the season scheduled to take place on Wednesday through Feb. 21, Murray said uncertainty has transformed into confidence, and the coaching staff “can see how much closer they are, and it’s showing in their performances.”
This growing sense of connection is something Kalamazoo junior and diver Wen Wadsworth-Curcuru said she feels every day on deck, adding that her time on the team has been “the best thing ever.”
“I’ve loved getting to know the freshmen and watching them grow over the past couple months,” Wadsworth-Curcuru said.
For Elmhurst, Illinois, first-year and diver Mia Carone, that welcoming atmosphere made the transition to college athletics smoother.
“When I first came here, everyone on the team was really friendly,” Carone said. “We’re all really close now.”
Grosse Pointe senior, swimmer and diver Cam Thompson said both the men’s and women’s swim and dive teams make a conscious effort to create that welcoming environment at meets and practices.
“Coach implemented a big and little mentorship program where upperclassmen help guide freshmen, not just in the pool but with classes and mental health,” Thompson said.
For diving coach and former Albion diver Emily Magyar, alumna ‘10, recruiting is still less about “looking at skill” and more about “aptitude.”
“I like looking for kids who want to be well-rounded, who are good humans and really want to hone their craft but also just be a part of a community,” Magyar said.
Growth, Records and Breakthrough Performances
Murray said Wadsworth-Curcuru has already broken multiple program records, many of which were previously held by Magyar.
“That’s a 16-year-old record (Wadsworth-Curcuru) broke,” Murray said. “It’s really special to see the former record holder now coaching the new one.”
Wadsworth-Curcuru said her biggest improvements this season have not just been technical but mental as well.
“Coming here really allowed me to grow as a person before just as an athlete,” Wadsworth-Curcuru said. “Taking that pressure off and being able to enjoy the sport again made such a difference.”
Other strong performers, Murray said, include Carone and St. Clair first-year Alyssa Schafer, who is closing in on regional qualification.
Beyond standout athletes, Murray said the swim and dive teams have “had over 110 personal bests this season.”
“For a roster of about 28 athletes, that’s huge,” Murray said. “No matter how small the improvement, it shows the training is working.”
Wadsworth-Curcuru said she credits the team’s success to both coaching and environment.
“They understand we’re students and people first,” Wadsworth-Curcuru said. “Sometimes a quieter, less stressful environment is what allows you to really blossom and perform the way you want.”
Individual Sport, Team Identity
Because swimming and diving are scored individually, building team culture requires intentional effort, something Murray said the women’s squad has embraced.
“We set expectations from day one that if you’re not competing, you’re cheering,” Murray said. “Swimmers cheer for divers, divers cheer for swimmers. It’s easy in an individual sport to focus only on yourself, but this group really shows up for each other.”
Wadsworth-Curcuru said that encouragement is especially visible during meets.
“We’re all on edge watching each other,” Wadsworth-Curcuru said. “We know what everyone is capable of, and when someone nails a dive we’ve been rooting for, we go wild. We’re jumping, screaming – it’s a big moment.”
Swimmers and divers alike support one another in their events, Thompson said.
“Even though events overlap and schedules can get busy, everyone understands our scores contribute to the same team result,” Thompson said.
Furthermore, Maygar said being a Division III team allows athletes to be “well-rounded,” competing not for scholarships but because “they really love their sport.”
“They’re worried about, ‘How do I do the best I can to just score any points for the team?’” Magyar said.
The Work Behind the Scenes
Murray said he hopes students understand how demanding the sport is beyond meet days.
“A typical practice might be close to 6,000 yards in under two hours,” Murray said. “And diving is incredibly tough mentally – the flips, twists and the constant getting in and out of the water.”
Carone said the mental side of diving is often overlooked, and “people think diving is just flipping around for fun.”
“If you go into practice with a bad mindset, it’s going to be a bad practice,” Carone said.
Wadsworth-Curcuru said that the physical toll of diving is often underestimated, including “the amount of times we smack the water and just get back up.”
“My teammates think I’m insane. I’ll just come up smiling and be like, ‘Let’s do it again,’” Wadsworth-Curcuru said.
Thompson said swimming’s strain is just as intense, even if it’s less visible.
“People don’t always realize how much wear and tear swimming puts on your body,” Thompson said. “Shoulder and joint issues are common because of how repetitive the sport is.”
With conference championships just weeks away, Murray said what helps both teams push through is a taper, which gives the athletes “a little bit more rest.”
“We remind them how far they’ve come since September,” Murray said. “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and they’re excited for it.”
Thompson said balance is key during a long season, where, “at Albion, you’re a student first.”
“Finding time to decompress and take care of your mental and physical health is what helps you stay motivated,” Thompson said.
Looking Ahead
Wadsworth-Curcuru said even if she’ll only be part of the journey for one more season, she’s still “excited to see how the program continues to develop.”
Wadsworth-Curcuru added if she had to sum up this year’s team in three words, they’d be “fun, hardworking and driven.”
For Murray, the most exciting part may be what’s still to come, noting a large first-year class, “great support from the administration” and new equipment.
“The future of this team is looking extremely strong,” Murray said.
Bonnie Lord also contributed reporting to this story.
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