Indiana University Athletics
Swim & Dive Seniors Ready For Championship Season
1/29/2016 10:45:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
By: Tori Ziege | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Tanner Kurz's parents called to break the news — they weren't going to make it.
A snow storm out East, where Kurz is from, would keep them from reaching the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center, where their son and five other members of the IU Swimming and Diving team were being honored on Senior Day.
The seniors stood, roses in hand, at one end of the pool, while the PA announcer read aloud a list of their accomplishments. Their parents — save for Kurz's — stood at the other.
The announcer called Kurz's name. He ran down the line of his teammates, who formed a tunnel that spanned the length of the pool, as they playfully slapped and high fived him.
At the end of the line, a familiar face — not only to Kurz, but to IU Swimming and Diving — was there to greet him.
Kurz handed the rose to his twin brother, Seth. The two linked arms and did a little dance.
"The one person that's always been a strong support in my life is my twin brother," Kurz said. "He came to Indiana, swam for two years, and had to quit because he has scoliosis — which is very painful for him. He's always been my inspiration."
Outside his biological family, Kurz has found another family in IU Swimming and Diving — as have all the seniors.
For diver Lacey Houser, who transferred in from Miami University her junior year, she found it somewhat unexpectedly.
Houser was initially expected to work with a different coach before head diving coach Drew Johansen took the job. But after Houser's first meet with Johansen — the 2014 USA Diving National Preliminary Zone A Championships, where Houser won the 1-meter springboard — she said she never had any doubts about the years ahead.
"Spending the last three years here has been a dream come true and it truly feels like home," Houser said. "Everything from the coach being exactly who I wanted and the team that I've never really had."
Senior freestyler Haley Lips said people tend to think the swimmers spend too much time together — quite the opposite. Outside the practice, yoga and weightlifting, the girls also have potlucks and get-togethers, some of which encompass her favorite memories.
But her favorite memory of all comes from her freshman year, when she and her teammates set the Big Ten record in the 800 freestyle relay in route to a conference championship in the event.
"It was a surreal experience, I certainly had no idea that I would be able to contribute to a relay that could break the seven-minute barrier," Lips said. "The four of us on that relay were extremely happy, shocked and excited all at the same time. It was definitely an experience I will always remember."
Between Kurz, Houser and Lips, several emotions arose on Senior Day — excitement, gratitude, fulfillment — but not sadness. Not yet.
The seniors still have lofty goals set in place for their final season. Houser and Lips both said they want to capture the women's first Big Ten title since 2011, after falling just short of the championship to Minnesota in 2015.
In the men's conference finals, Kurz will have a chance to take home the top prize in the 200 breast stroke, where he said he expects to get his best times in his four years at Indiana.
After the college season, Kurz and Houser will continue to train for the Olympic Trials, where they will compete for a spot in this year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 100 and 200 breaststroke and the 3-meter springboard, respectively.
But no matter where life takes him after his IU career, Kurz said his coaches and teammates will remain his biggest family, and Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center, his home.
"Every single teammate on my team has made an impact in my life, and I've made an impact in theirs," Kurz said. "I've learned something from every coach, and I've incorporated that into my stroke, my life or even my academics, and the same goes for my team as well."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Tanner Kurz's parents called to break the news — they weren't going to make it.
A snow storm out East, where Kurz is from, would keep them from reaching the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center, where their son and five other members of the IU Swimming and Diving team were being honored on Senior Day.
The seniors stood, roses in hand, at one end of the pool, while the PA announcer read aloud a list of their accomplishments. Their parents — save for Kurz's — stood at the other.
The announcer called Kurz's name. He ran down the line of his teammates, who formed a tunnel that spanned the length of the pool, as they playfully slapped and high fived him.
At the end of the line, a familiar face — not only to Kurz, but to IU Swimming and Diving — was there to greet him.
Kurz handed the rose to his twin brother, Seth. The two linked arms and did a little dance.
"The one person that's always been a strong support in my life is my twin brother," Kurz said. "He came to Indiana, swam for two years, and had to quit because he has scoliosis — which is very painful for him. He's always been my inspiration."
Outside his biological family, Kurz has found another family in IU Swimming and Diving — as have all the seniors.
For diver Lacey Houser, who transferred in from Miami University her junior year, she found it somewhat unexpectedly.
Houser was initially expected to work with a different coach before head diving coach Drew Johansen took the job. But after Houser's first meet with Johansen — the 2014 USA Diving National Preliminary Zone A Championships, where Houser won the 1-meter springboard — she said she never had any doubts about the years ahead.
"Spending the last three years here has been a dream come true and it truly feels like home," Houser said. "Everything from the coach being exactly who I wanted and the team that I've never really had."
Senior freestyler Haley Lips said people tend to think the swimmers spend too much time together — quite the opposite. Outside the practice, yoga and weightlifting, the girls also have potlucks and get-togethers, some of which encompass her favorite memories.
But her favorite memory of all comes from her freshman year, when she and her teammates set the Big Ten record in the 800 freestyle relay in route to a conference championship in the event.
"It was a surreal experience, I certainly had no idea that I would be able to contribute to a relay that could break the seven-minute barrier," Lips said. "The four of us on that relay were extremely happy, shocked and excited all at the same time. It was definitely an experience I will always remember."
Between Kurz, Houser and Lips, several emotions arose on Senior Day — excitement, gratitude, fulfillment — but not sadness. Not yet.
The seniors still have lofty goals set in place for their final season. Houser and Lips both said they want to capture the women's first Big Ten title since 2011, after falling just short of the championship to Minnesota in 2015.
In the men's conference finals, Kurz will have a chance to take home the top prize in the 200 breast stroke, where he said he expects to get his best times in his four years at Indiana.
After the college season, Kurz and Houser will continue to train for the Olympic Trials, where they will compete for a spot in this year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 100 and 200 breaststroke and the 3-meter springboard, respectively.
But no matter where life takes him after his IU career, Kurz said his coaches and teammates will remain his biggest family, and Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center, his home.
"Every single teammate on my team has made an impact in my life, and I've made an impact in theirs," Kurz said. "I've learned something from every coach, and I've incorporated that into my stroke, my life or even my academics, and the same goes for my team as well."
Players Mentioned
Diving
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Multi
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
Freestyle
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