Under new Head Coach Rachel Komisarz-Baugh, Ohio Swimming and Diving begin a new season with a new mindset, and against a top level opponent. Ohio opens their season Saturday in Athens.
With the start of every new season, student-athletes are finally able to put their offseason work to the test and come together to work toward reaching their ultimate goal of winning. The Bobcats looks to come together yet again under the command of another new head coach.
New coach Rachel Komisarz-Baugh brings a history of success to Ohio this year that should help it continue to rebuild with its third coach in two seasons.
Komisarz-Baugh, who has a gold and silver medalist in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, spent the last five years at Louisville and is considered to be one of the best recruiters in the country. Last season her Cardinals swept the American Athletic Conference and had eight swimmers qualify for the NCAA Championships.
Having made the transition to Ohio, Komisarz-Baugh is excited for the athletes to get back in the pool. Some Bobcats have been competing with collegiate-level club teams during the offseason, including events with Olympic-caliber talent.
“Energy is high but with a new head coach I think everyone’s expectations are a little higher, so the butterflies are there, plus they haven’t raced in a while,” Komisarz-Baugh said. “It has been since July that they have raced, but I think [the first meet] is exciting and they are ready to go.”
The season will begin Saturday when Ohio State comes to Athens for a dual meet. The Buckeyes topped the Bobcats last year in Columbus by a score of 193.5-106.5 for Ohio’s first loss. However, the team welcomes the high-level competition early in the season to help them prepare for future matchups.
“I think it is exciting to start off with such a big name team and in-state rival. … I can’t really worry about what Ohio State is doing,” Komisarz-Baugh said. “I have to prepare the girls and be as ready as we can be. We can control our factors, we can’t control theirs.”
With the season not yet underway, Komisarz-Baugh describes the Bobcats as in a “really big learning phase” of their season. Ohio wants to take this weekend not only as a competition, but also as an opportunity to sharpen its strokes, as well as improve its practice and inner-squad times.
“If we can just take away bits and pieces to learn from to make us better down the line, I think that’s a positive,” Komisarz-Baugh said.
The meet will begin Saturday with diving at 10 a.m. and swimming following at 1 p.m in the Aquatic Center.
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