The O’Connell Center floor was slick with water as the pool was clad with UF swimmers and divers Saturday from generations of the team’s past competing in the 2010 Alumni Meet.
Every year, the Gator Splash Club, the booster club of Florida Swimming and Diving, hosts Alumni Weekend, mingling this year’s swimmers with those former that are eager to get back to their old stomping— ahem, splashing ground.
Friday’s schedule included a formal banquet honoring last year’s team, while Saturday’s meet allowed alumni to show the younger swimmers what they’re made of.
“We have alumni swimming here from the ‘50s,” said Jeff Smith, president of Gator Splash Club. “The generations get to mix.”
Every decade since 1960 was represented at this year’s meet. Competing alumni included Kristen Beales, Stephanie Napier, and Elizabeth Kemp of the 2009-10 team, and Ron Ballatore of the 2006-07 squad.
Beales won two events, while Ballatore also pulled out a win in one of Saturday’s races.
The oldest swimmer at Saturday’s meet was Stephen Zarzecki, who swam for the Gators from 1965 to 1968.
“It’s great,” Zarzecki said, excitedly pointing to his team’s Southeastern Conference championship banners hanging above the pool. “It’s a lot of fun to swim against the young guys.”
While Saturday was indeed competition, it was all in good spirit. The O'Connell Center was soaked with those reminiscing of the past, telling jokes and smiling faces. Among the biggest grins was that of head UF swimming and diving coach Gregg Troy.
“It’s always good when people come back from the past,” Troy said. “It connects the program and its history.”
After the meet, the alumni and current swimmers joined in on Saturday’s football game festivities, watching the game together in a designated block in the Swamp. Last year’s 2009-10 women’s team was honored on the field after the first quarter.
“We always stress being a big family,” said current swimmer Shara Stafford. “It’s cool to see that after 50 years, [the alumni] have pride in being a Gator.”
