Sophomore Max Crownover knows that Rams swimming is one of the best programs in the state. He also knows that few Roberson students know anything about the sport.
“We know that since we’re swimmers, we’re not going to be appreciated. But we just want to be talked about for once,” Crownover said.
These concerns are felt by many members on the swimming team. Although the team has a very successful reputation, they feel that they are not always acknowledged.
“You always hear about the wins and losses of the football teams, the soccer teams, the basketball teams. Swimming? Not so much. Even though we’re one of the most successful teams at this school, we’re rarely even mentioned,” Crownover said.
Past events show that average ticket sales tend to run at roughly 75 people per meet to cheer on the swimmers. But this includes both home and visiting spectators.
According to physics teacher Wayne Hamlin, who sells tickets at the meets, swimming over that last few years has not had the wide-spread appeal that many other sports offered at Roberson draw in. However, this season many more spectators are showing interest than in previous years.
“In the past I’ve maybe sold 20 tickets, but at the first meet this year I sold 88. Sales are definitely increasing,” Hamlin said.
Swim coach Jim Cottam was pleased with the surge in interest.
“Usually, we get lots of new participants right around the summer Olympic games, so the fact that so many came out for the team was unusual. This season, we have a strong group of freshman, but are still heavily dependent on our seniors and the leadership they provide,” Cottam said.
The girls’ medley relay team consisting of freshman Camille Long, junior Alyssa Arwood, freshman Mary-O Soule, and senior JoEllenHogoboom have broken the former school record, with a time of 1:57:30. Long broke the record in the 500 meter freestyle and Soule now holds the school record in the 200 meter freestyle.
Sophomore Alyx Fisk is a common presence at swim meets, though she does not have family members on the team. To her, going to the meets is about supporting her friends and her school. Nevertheless, she is not sure if having a huge student turn-out is a good idea.
“The pool itself is really crowded, and there’s not a lot of room for people to watch from the sidelines. I think that if you don’t understand swimming, you shouldn’t go. It can be quite complicated and confusing, and if you’ve never seen the sport, you won’t get it,” Fisk said.
Freshman Mitchell Stanek disagrees, believing that more support would be beneficial to the team.
“All we want is recognition. I don’t think people know about us. Right now, it’s just parents and the occasional friend watching. When you’re out of the water, it would be nice to hear fans cheering for a change,” Stanek said.
Cottam thinks that the facility is one of the main deterrents towards a larger turnout.
“It’s old. There’s not a whole lot of room, which does nothing in encouraging more people to come out and watch us,” Cottam said.
Hamlin has similar concerns.
“When you’re at a swim meet, you’re stuck inside a loud building, and you have to watch the races to know what’s going on. There’s no place to sit, and it’s hard to socialize. Also, there aren’t any meets on Friday nights, which is when students typically go to games,” Hamlin said.
Buncombe County has proposed building a new aquatic facility near the current Zeugner Pool and Recreation center. County officials envision an eight lane pool similar to the current one to be built on the Zeugner Center property and would be estimated to cost over $4.8 million.
“A new pool is the number one priority on our list,” said county employee Terri Gintile, who works at the Zeugner pool. “We’re not 100% sure what the new project would consist of, but it would certainly be nicer than what is there now.”
Another contributing factor towards the lack of awareness of the team may be caused in part by the fact that neither of the coaches works at Roberson.
“In past years, we haven’t been represented at pep rallies, nor is there anyone to make sure our stats get read on the intercom,” Cottam said.
Similar concerns are felt by the Roberson diving team.
Sophomore Abby Hudspeth is one of the four members on the team. She joined the diving team this year in hopes that she would find a new sport to excel at and enjoy.
“I was a gymnast for most of my life, and when I quit, I wanted to try another mental sport that challenged me in similar ways. I’ve been working really hard, and it would be great to show off all my hard work, especially in front of my peers,” Hudspeth said.
Senior Megan Cypcar has been a member of the diving team since her freshman year. This season, the divers do not have their own coach but instead borrow Cottam from the swim team, changing the way they practice.
“Since we don’t have our own coach, it’s a lot harder to adapt. Diving is a sport that can’t really be self-taught, which is tough at times,” Cypcar said.
The diving team meets several times a week at the YWCA of Asheville, often with the teams from Asheville High and Franklin, due to the lack of suitable places to practice. Cypcar has noticed the unique team dynamic.
“The teams from different schools mingle and intermix. We’re all one big team at times. We cheer each other on and encourage each other to try harder dives. The fact that we’re competitors doesn’t lead to segregation at all,” Cypcar said.
Twice a week, TC divers drive to Clemson University to use their diving facility.
With more boards and platforms of varying heights, and trampolines and belts to practice with, trips to the center are important to the team’s preparation.
However, the school does not provide funding or transportation to team members to get there.
“It’s an hour and a half drive each way. That is a huge commitment, especially with school obligations on top of that,” Hudspeth said.
Some on the diving team also feel that there is a lack of support and enthusiasm from students. Cypcar believes that more recognition would be nice.
“Everyone goes to football and soccer games. A few people even go to swim meets. But no one goes to diving meets, which is aggravating. We’ve been undefeated for so many years, and no one bothers to show up,”
“We know that since we’re swimmers, we’re not going to be appreciated. But we just want to be talked about for once,” Crownover said.
These concerns are felt by many members on the swimming team. Although the team has a very successful reputation, they feel that they are not always acknowledged.
“You always hear about the wins and losses of the football teams, the soccer teams, the basketball teams. Swimming? Not so much. Even though we’re one of the most successful teams at this school, we’re rarely even mentioned,” Crownover said.
Past events show that average ticket sales tend to run at roughly 75 people per meet to cheer on the swimmers. But this includes both home and visiting spectators.
According to physics teacher Wayne Hamlin, who sells tickets at the meets, swimming over that last few years has not had the wide-spread appeal that many other sports offered at Roberson draw in. However, this season many more spectators are showing interest than in previous years.
“In the past I’ve maybe sold 20 tickets, but at the first meet this year I sold 88. Sales are definitely increasing,” Hamlin said.
Swim coach Jim Cottam was pleased with the surge in interest.
“Usually, we get lots of new participants right around the summer Olympic games, so the fact that so many came out for the team was unusual. This season, we have a strong group of freshman, but are still heavily dependent on our seniors and the leadership they provide,” Cottam said.
The girls’ medley relay team consisting of freshman Camille Long, junior Alyssa Arwood, freshman Mary-O Soule, and senior JoEllenHogoboom have broken the former school record, with a time of 1:57:30. Long broke the record in the 500 meter freestyle and Soule now holds the school record in the 200 meter freestyle.
Sophomore Alyx Fisk is a common presence at swim meets, though she does not have family members on the team. To her, going to the meets is about supporting her friends and her school. Nevertheless, she is not sure if having a huge student turn-out is a good idea.
“The pool itself is really crowded, and there’s not a lot of room for people to watch from the sidelines. I think that if you don’t understand swimming, you shouldn’t go. It can be quite complicated and confusing, and if you’ve never seen the sport, you won’t get it,” Fisk said.
Freshman Mitchell Stanek disagrees, believing that more support would be beneficial to the team.
“All we want is recognition. I don’t think people know about us. Right now, it’s just parents and the occasional friend watching. When you’re out of the water, it would be nice to hear fans cheering for a change,” Stanek said.
Cottam thinks that the facility is one of the main deterrents towards a larger turnout.
“It’s old. There’s not a whole lot of room, which does nothing in encouraging more people to come out and watch us,” Cottam said.
Hamlin has similar concerns.
“When you’re at a swim meet, you’re stuck inside a loud building, and you have to watch the races to know what’s going on. There’s no place to sit, and it’s hard to socialize. Also, there aren’t any meets on Friday nights, which is when students typically go to games,” Hamlin said.
Buncombe County has proposed building a new aquatic facility near the current Zeugner Pool and Recreation center. County officials envision an eight lane pool similar to the current one to be built on the Zeugner Center property and would be estimated to cost over $4.8 million.
“A new pool is the number one priority on our list,” said county employee Terri Gintile, who works at the Zeugner pool. “We’re not 100% sure what the new project would consist of, but it would certainly be nicer than what is there now.”
Another contributing factor towards the lack of awareness of the team may be caused in part by the fact that neither of the coaches works at Roberson.
“In past years, we haven’t been represented at pep rallies, nor is there anyone to make sure our stats get read on the intercom,” Cottam said.
Similar concerns are felt by the Roberson diving team.
Sophomore Abby Hudspeth is one of the four members on the team. She joined the diving team this year in hopes that she would find a new sport to excel at and enjoy.
“I was a gymnast for most of my life, and when I quit, I wanted to try another mental sport that challenged me in similar ways. I’ve been working really hard, and it would be great to show off all my hard work, especially in front of my peers,” Hudspeth said.
Senior Megan Cypcar has been a member of the diving team since her freshman year. This season, the divers do not have their own coach but instead borrow Cottam from the swim team, changing the way they practice.
“Since we don’t have our own coach, it’s a lot harder to adapt. Diving is a sport that can’t really be self-taught, which is tough at times,” Cypcar said.
The diving team meets several times a week at the YWCA of Asheville, often with the teams from Asheville High and Franklin, due to the lack of suitable places to practice. Cypcar has noticed the unique team dynamic.
“The teams from different schools mingle and intermix. We’re all one big team at times. We cheer each other on and encourage each other to try harder dives. The fact that we’re competitors doesn’t lead to segregation at all,” Cypcar said.
Twice a week, TC divers drive to Clemson University to use their diving facility.
With more boards and platforms of varying heights, and trampolines and belts to practice with, trips to the center are important to the team’s preparation.
However, the school does not provide funding or transportation to team members to get there.
“It’s an hour and a half drive each way. That is a huge commitment, especially with school obligations on top of that,” Hudspeth said.
Some on the diving team also feel that there is a lack of support and enthusiasm from students. Cypcar believes that more recognition would be nice.
“Everyone goes to football and soccer games. A few people even go to swim meets. But no one goes to diving meets, which is aggravating. We’ve been undefeated for so many years, and no one bothers to show up,”