The UMBC women's swimming and diving team is one of UMBC's most successful athletic teams. The determination and passion of the team members are some of the attributes that have allowed the swimming and diving team to win numerous America East Championships. Senior Tereza Kaplanova, who is one of the team's captains, and Junior Rebecca Godwin are two such teammates who exhibit constant perseverance and dedication to their team. Just exactly how has this team been so successful for countless seasons?

According to Kaplanova and Godwin, one reason for the team's success is the passion and experience of the coaching staff. Another factor is the depth (skill range) of the swimmers and divers, which gives the team a great background and advantage over other schools. Godwin chimes in that team spirit has also played a substantial role in the team's success, noting that they are constantly "pushing each other to do more and do better."

With an incoming recruiting class of 22, the team's perspective is set high for the 2009-2010 season.

"The incoming freshmen have a lot of talent and scoring potential. We have four divers this year, compared to just one last year. This makes winning easier. We are definitely looking forward to the 2009-2010 season," said Kaplanova.

The top three things Kaplanova and Godwin are looking forward to this season include the George Mason Invite, participating in the College Conference Carnival at Rutgers University (which partners with Swimming World Magazine), and of course winning this season's America East Conference.

Head Coach Chad Cradock feels that the road to the America East Championship will be a tough road. He stated, "For this season, a really strong freshman class was brought in. The Swimming and Diving team this year is extremely strong. Our athletes are focused, disciplined, and determined, which will make for a great season."

As for the reason his team is so successful, Cradock adds, "Everyone on the team is treated the same, and the whole team focuses on structure and discipline. The depth of the squad promotes success, and also makes the team push one another to do better."

Cradock believes that his team has strengths both in personality and athletic ability. Personality-wise, Cradock believes the team's strength is the closeness of the athletes. Cradock replies, "One unit supports the other. There is care for each other and the athletes treat each other like family members." Athletic-wise, Cradock believes the team's strength derives from having a championship background. Cradock states, "We are a championship team. We also have a lot of really strong events, which make our weak events strong. The team can turn its weaknesses into strengths."

What are Cradock's goals as coach for this brilliant-looking season? Cradock explains his four goals which are: (1) Win a Championship (2) To be successful during meets (3) To make sure his athletes maintain high GPAs (4) To keep the team close and thinking positively. Cradock says the number one thing he wants his team to learn this season is, "How to be tough in adverse conditions."

Cradock is a wonderful coach that gives his team valuable advice in order for the athletes to remain level-headed and optimistic. Cradock says, "I encourage them to be positive. I believe in the power of the mind. As long as your mind believes it, your body can achieve it, as long as the goals set are realistic." Cradock says that if there is one thing he has learned from being a coach, it's, "That every day is unique and you cannot really plan for what life may throw at you. Treat everyone as an individual because each person is different. The prime concern is not necessarily the win (although that is nice!), it's the academic success while in college."