Senior Husker swimmers to be honored at final home meet

When the Nebraska swimming and diving team meets Iowa State on Saturday for its final dual of the regular season, emotions will be running high.

Seniors Bobbi Balogh, Mailene Leslie, D'Arcy Schmidt, Riley Seidel and Caroline Shea will all suit up for the last time at the Devaney Center Natatorium, a place they've called home for four years, and will be honored prior to the 1 p.m. starting time.

A moment that assistant coach Doug Humphrey believes will be "bittersweet."

"It's almost like an era coming to an end," Humphrey said. "Being able to honor all of them individually, that's the least we could do for their four years of dedication."

When most underclassmen are asked to describe their senior teammates, they often use cliche terms like "hard work" and "dedication."

But when asked about what was most memorable about this senior class, it wasn't the hard work or extensive leadership qualities that were cited. Those qualities were obvious.

It was the things that are often overlooked that meant the most to the younger teammates.

Friendship. Laughter. Camaraderie. A sense of belonging.

In a way, it was as if the seniors had transformed the 2011-2012 swimming and diving team into something much more; something that more closely resembles a family than just an ordinary team.

"That was one of the things we focused on this year," Seidel explained. "We wanted to focus on the team, and not just wins. It was all about the team and forming relationships."

Among the five seniors leaving are Nebraska's two team captains, Seidel and Shea. Both were voted captains earlier this season by their teammates, a decision that was described as unanimous.

"They have done the best job of any captains since I've been on the team," said teammate Hayley Martin. "They both had that balance of keeping things light but also calling you out when needed."

Shea, a Denver native, was mostly known for her comical personality. Humphrey described her as a "humble warrior," while Martin chose a word on the opposite side of the spectrum: "hilarious."

"Caroline is the funniest person I've ever met. Seriously, she's the person who will crack a joke before a match when everyone is tense. It will be weird without her jokes next year," Martin said.

Seidel, on the other hand, took on the role of the "serious" leader. This makes sense given the context of her recruitment to Nebraska, or lack thereof.

Seidel was an "under-recruited walk-on" according to Humphrey, but worked her way up the depth chart and eventually won the hearts and minds of her coaches and teammates.

Since Seidel joined the team, the Huskers have never lost to Iowa State. In fact, Nebraska currently owns an eight-game winning streak over the Cyclones and has won 10 out of the last 12 meetings with its former conference rival.

"We have a great rivalry, and a great friendship for that matter, with Iowa State that dates back to our time in the Big 12," Humphrey said. "It's a fun, competitive rivalry that will most likely be on our schedule for years to come, at least I hope so."

Nebraska has dropped its last two duals in close fashion to Kansas and Illinois. The Huskers dropped both duals by a combined 14 points (145-155 Kansas, 148-152 Illinois).

"After the last two losses, we'll be out for blood. Not only for our team record, but mostly for our seniors," Martin said. "We're doing it for them."

Following the dual with Iowa State, the Huskers will travel to the Big Ten Swimming and Diving Championships from Feb. 15 to Feb. 18. The meet will be hosted by the Iowa Hawkeyes in Iowa City.

jcreid@dailynebraskan.com