Spring Break
Astiz faces off against hometown program
Victor Santos
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: Sports
On a scale from one to 10, Adrian Astiz said his desire to swim at the University of Maryland following his senior year in high school was a five.
A five was enough to convince the Rockville, Md., native to send a prospective-athlete form to a program that saw its 12-year coach, Jim Wenhold, retire immediately after a fourth consecutive four-win season in 2004-2005. The program is now on its third coach in four years.
Astiz never heard from the significantly shaky program at the time, but was not troubled.
"It's like if you live in Connecticut and came to UConn; seeing all the same people from high school and all that stuff is not what I wanted," said the senior captain.
Perhaps the Terrapins could have used Astiz, who is shaping up to be one of UConn's greats. He is currently UConn's all-time record holder in the 200-butterfly event and 200-medley relay, and top five all-time in the 100-breastroke and 100-butterfly events.
This weekend - beginning Thursday - Maryland will have a first-hand look at its local talent who has made tremendous strides in four years, as they host the sixth annual Terrapin Cup Invitational. Astiz and the rest of the men's and women's swimming and diving teams will seek their second consecutive victory at the nationally recognized Campus Recreation Center Natatorium in College Park, Md., just 20 miles from Rockville.
"I want to make a statement to other swimmers in the Big East - that this year I'm ready to compete and that's kind of the attitude I want the team to take," Astiz said. "I want people to bring an attitude and show it in this meet. You know, show them we're not chumps anymore, we're here to swim."
According to swimming coach Bob Goldberg, this year's field is considerably stronger than what the Huskies have faced in the past. North Carolina State University just had two 2006 graduates, Cullen Jones and Dan Velez, compete in the Beijing Olympics this summer. Conference rival Villanova is seeking revenge after the Huskies defeated them earlier this season. The Terrapins finally have a head coach and a strong women's team that already posted five wins this season. Drexel, Navy, William and Mary (Va.) and Richmond are also looking to put their respective programs on the map.
A five was enough to convince the Rockville, Md., native to send a prospective-athlete form to a program that saw its 12-year coach, Jim Wenhold, retire immediately after a fourth consecutive four-win season in 2004-2005. The program is now on its third coach in four years.
Astiz never heard from the significantly shaky program at the time, but was not troubled.
"It's like if you live in Connecticut and came to UConn; seeing all the same people from high school and all that stuff is not what I wanted," said the senior captain.
Perhaps the Terrapins could have used Astiz, who is shaping up to be one of UConn's greats. He is currently UConn's all-time record holder in the 200-butterfly event and 200-medley relay, and top five all-time in the 100-breastroke and 100-butterfly events.
This weekend - beginning Thursday - Maryland will have a first-hand look at its local talent who has made tremendous strides in four years, as they host the sixth annual Terrapin Cup Invitational. Astiz and the rest of the men's and women's swimming and diving teams will seek their second consecutive victory at the nationally recognized Campus Recreation Center Natatorium in College Park, Md., just 20 miles from Rockville.
"I want to make a statement to other swimmers in the Big East - that this year I'm ready to compete and that's kind of the attitude I want the team to take," Astiz said. "I want people to bring an attitude and show it in this meet. You know, show them we're not chumps anymore, we're here to swim."
According to swimming coach Bob Goldberg, this year's field is considerably stronger than what the Huskies have faced in the past. North Carolina State University just had two 2006 graduates, Cullen Jones and Dan Velez, compete in the Beijing Olympics this summer. Conference rival Villanova is seeking revenge after the Huskies defeated them earlier this season. The Terrapins finally have a head coach and a strong women's team that already posted five wins this season. Drexel, Navy, William and Mary (Va.) and Richmond are also looking to put their respective programs on the map.
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