Published since 1915 by the students
of Xavier University
Published since 1915 by the students
of Xavier University
Riegler named interim swim coach
Darren LaCour
Associate News Editor
On November 2, George Rathman made public his decision to leave Xavier University, stepping down from his positions as head men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach as well as compliance coordinator.
“A few weeks ago, he held a meeting and informed us that this summer he had decided to make some life changes, which included not only a change of location but a career change,” said sophomore swimmer Alissa Schriner. Rathman is moving to Atlanta to look at a number of different career opportunities in the corporate world.
According to Athletic Director Mike Bobinski, Rathman had mentioned the possibility of this change earlier in the year. “I admire him for his courage,” said Bobinski. “I obviously wanted to talk him out of it, but he was pretty set.”
Rathman kept his plans quiet until he was sure of them. “I was not aware of Coach Rathman’s decision in advance and neither was the team,” said red shirt senior Dave Janszen. “It did come as a surprise to me.”
Assistant coach Steve Riegler has been named interim head coach for this season. “This is something I am prepared for,” Riegler said. “I’m really excited for this opportunity and I am looking forward to building on the success of the program.”
One would think that switching head coaches might cause problems for the team, but that doesn’t seem to be the case this year. “The team is also excited for a change, and we were already transitioning,” said Riegler. “The team goals are still the same, and our coaching styles were similar.”
Formerly, the team trained in two separate groups, one under Rathman and the other under Riegler. Now with Rathman leaving, Riegler is really looking forward to bringing the team closer together.
“I think given the situation, it was what was best for the team and for George,” says Janszen.
Bobinski has named Rich Franchak as the interim compliance coordinator for the university. His role is to make sure all the sports are functioning within the NCAA rules, as far as procedures go. Franchak is the Senior Associate Athletic Director and will have these new responsibilities in addition to his current job, but he also has previous experience, so Bobinski is confident that there is “a good plan in place.”
Eventually, both the head coaching and compliance coordinator positions will be filled permanently, but right now the searches aren’t too pressing. “I think it’s the right thing for the team,” said Bobinski, who wants to let Riegler coach this year.
The team is hopeful and excited for the season, which is already underway. “I look forward to training with [Steve] and seeing what this team can do,” said Schriner.
“I’m fortunate to have worked with [George] but support his decision to pursue what makes him happy.
“George came to this team and has significantly changed it for the better in the time that he was here. He did a huge part for Xavier Swimming.”
“We really appreciate everything George has done,” said Bobinski, commenting on Rathman juggling his duties as a coach and as the compliance coordinator.
“We owe him a great debt of gratitude.
John LaFollette 
Sports Editor
Junior Nico Lilly, senior Jill Cooke and sophomore Alissa Schriner each posted a pair of first place finishes, but it was not enough as the Xavier University men’s and women’s swimming teams dropped a dual meet to Saint Louis University on Saturday at the O’Connor Sports Center. The men lost their match-up 170-92, while the women were edged 140-123.
Cooke took a pair of first place finishes in both the 200 and 500 Free events, and teamed with the Musketeers’ 400 Free Relay to take the gold. She won the 200 in 1:58.44 and the 500 in 5:14.93. In the 400 Free Relay, Cooke, freshman Elaina Suba, junior Lindsay Jackson and senior Krystel Kooyman paced the field in 3:39.67.
Schriner won both the Butterfly events, taking the 200 in 2:12.20, and was the lone finisher in the 100 under one minute (59.85). Jill Winhusen followed closely behind Schriner in the 200 Fly, taking the silver in 2:12.94.
On the men’s said, Lilly won both Freestyle distance events, clocking a 4:52.32 time (won by nine seconds) in the 500 and a 10:03.99 time (won by seven seconds) in the 1,000. In Lilly’s other individual event, he took sixth in the 200 Breast (56.91).
Along with Lilly, Schriner and Cooke, Dave Janszen was the Musketeers’ other individual first-place finish in the meet. Janszen paced the field in the 400 IM in a time of 4:21.13.
Both the Xavier men’s and women’s teams return to action Nov. 10 with a quad-meet at IUPUI. Evansville and UW-Green Bay will be the other opponents.
