Absence From Overachievement

Stepping into the Alumni Arena Natatorium, there is a certain resonance in the air.

Gigantic banners line the walls, filled with school-best records that have been shattered, titles that have been won and successes that have been enjoyed.

This natatorium is home to a group of young men that combine to form arguably one of the most successful programs that UB has ever had the pleasure of supporting.

While there have been very few instances since becoming a Division I institution in which the University at Buffalo has garnered a team that has been able to produce consistent athletic excellence, the UB men's swimming and diving team has been a general exception to that rule.

With the entire core of a solid 2002-2003 team intact, it was almost implied that the excellence would continue. This season, however, the Bulls find themselves in an unfamiliar situation, with a 3-3 overall, 1-2 Mid-American Conference record.

"In general terms, our team performance this season has been at both ends of the spectrum," said head coach Budd Termin. "It has been really good or really off, and not much in between. Historically, this program is usually more consistent, meet by meet."

Most recently, UB was handed a loss by St. Bonaventure in a non-league, dual meet, 150-93.

"This season has gone alright," said sophomore Kevin Gatley. "We had a good chance to beat St. Bonaventure, but we came out flat."

Uncharacteristically, the Bulls took only three events, highlighted by a first place and a season-best time turned in by Gatley in the 200 butterfly in 1:54.11. The 200 butterfly is an event in which the Bulls have produced solid results in all season long, with senior Mark Sy setting the UB record for the event twice this season, clocking a time of 1:52.39.

Despite the predominantly lackluster results that the Bulls have turned in this season, Termin remains optimistic regarding the rest of the season, specifically the MAC Championships, which ultimately determine how UB is ranked at the end of the season in the MAC.

"Dual meets in swimming are really used to systematically expose and correct techniques that might inhibit our peak performance at the MAC Championships," said Termin. "The MAC Championships are where everyone on the team will peak from a performance standpoint."

In terms of team goals, UB always strives for everyone to swim personal lifetime best times.

"Individually, we always want our swimmers to qualify for the NCAA National Swimming Championships," Termin said. "This being an Olympic year, we do have a couple of swimmers that have a really good chance to qualify for the Olympic Trials."

The three remaining meets on the Bulls' schedule will offer few breaks, however.

In preparation for the MAC Championships, the Bulls hope to ink a slew of speedy times, beginning this weekend, when they travel to take on defending MAC champion Eastern Michigan at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

"This weekend we are going to try our hardest to slap around Eastern Michigan," said freshman Matt Lazio.

Gatley echoed his teammate's sentiments.

"We are going to take it to Eastern Michigan - we are hungry like dogs for the win," said Gatley.

Following competition against Eastern Michigan, UB will return to host the UB Invitational on Feb. 7-8. After a lengthy break, Buffalo will be back in action at the ECAC Championships held Feb.27-29.

"We use that meet (ECAC Championships) as a tune-up," stressed Termin. "Historically over 50 Division I swimming programs compete at these championships, and we have consistently finished in the top five. Because the competition there is as good as the MAC Championships, it gets everyone in a championship state of mind before we head to the MACs."