Swimming and diving teams win Terrapin Cup

In its win over UMBC last week, the Terrapins swimming and diving team's performance took a back seat to the support it received from in-state rivals while contemplating a murky future.

The support this weekend at the Terrapin Cup was just as vocal. Still, the team was eager to remind all viewers that they had come for more than just that. By Saturday night, everybody knew: This isn't just a platform for students and parents to declare solidarity for Terps athletics. This is an actual team, and a very dangerous one, at that.

Both the men's and women's teams left little doubt in the outcome this weekend at Eppley Recreation Center. The men recorded 1,260 points, 241 more than runner-up N.C. State and 800-plus more than third-place West Chester.

The women put up 1,285 points, beating second-place Towson by nearly 700.

"We added a little fuel on the fire, and they really focused," coach Sean Schimmel said. "Six out of six sessions, they were awesome."

Whether the swimmers were truly inspired by competing with their program's life on the line is something only they know. But two new school records, established by Ginny Glover in the 200 meter backstroke and Alexa Hamilton in the 200 meter breaststroke, were enough to make a standout weekend even more special.

Schimmel stressed the importance of keeping the team focused and grounded, saying the team would "take it one day at a time and focus on doing the next right thing. When we do that, we can take care of ourselves."

While the action on the pool deck was a story, the Terps were once again flooded by support from students, parents and fellow swimmers. Several former Terps were in attendance, helping parents of team members sell T-shirts, water bottles and cookies to the crowd. UMBC's "Save the Terps" signs from last week's meet still adorned the far side of the natatorium. They were joined by massive banners with the same message from William & Mary, Johns Hopkins, Richmond and others.

Terps supporters in the crowd again sported "Save Maryland Swimming and Diving" shirts, the backs of which read, "Keep on Fighting, Don't Give In" — borrowing from the victory song the Terps so gleefully sung for all of Eppley to hear after their win.

Perhaps the strongest show of support, one that Schimmel called "bone-chilling," came near the end of the competition Saturday night. West Chester and Towson donned red swim caps with "Save the Terps" scrawled on the side. Towson, just before the meet's final race, broke into an unsolicited chant of the same words. Within 30 seconds, every team followed suit.

They only stopped when the Terps acknowledged them with a collective appreciative wave, one final display of the bonds of a swimming and diving community that had already offered them their unwavering support.

"The team has been outstanding," said former Terps swimmer Kevin Reardon, who watched the meet from the stands, "and it would be a shame to cut it now."

With a performance as convincing as what the Terps offered this weekend, that message was probably heard loud and clear.

benscher@umdbk.com