Bobby Martinez – Sports Writer
NEW HAVEN — When one thinks of dominance of a sports program at Southern Connecticut State University, they think of the swimming program led by 18-time Northeast-10 Conference Coach of the Year and six-time Metropolitan Conference Coach of the Year, Tim Quill.
Senior captain of the men’s swim team Austin McMahon, said one of the main reasons he chose to swim for the Owls was because of Quill and his success at Southern.
“When I met coach Quill,” said McMahon, “ he motivated me. He told if I was to come to Southern, I can reach a very high level in swimming. Ever since I been here, all we have done was win each year. Our team over the years, have gotten really strong and it has showed whenever we compete.”
McMahon, who swims in the 200-freestyle, 800-freestyle relay, 200-butterfly and 500-freestyle, said Quill brings the best out of everyone on the swim team. At times, there are teammates who bump heads said McMahon, but to him, he thinks it helps everyone be the best swimmer they can possibly be.
“There are times where a swimmer can get upset because the other swimmer swam a faster time than him,” said McMahon. “The good thing about that is, it helps us push each other even harder. One thing coach Quill stresses is team unity. He expects us to get along and lookout for each other in and out of the swimming pool. He wants us to be a strong family, and we are that.”
Quill has built a very solid foundation where he has been a part of 20 Northeast-10 Conference titles between both the female swimming and diving team, and the men’s swimming and diving team. According to Southern Connecticut’s athletic department’s website, Quill raised the women’s conference title 10 times (2003-2013), and also the Metropolitan Conference championship twice (2005-07).
As for the men’s side, Quill has coached NE-10 championship wins eight times (2003-08, 2011-14) and the Metropolitan Conference championship three times (2003-06). Quill personally, former member of the USA Swimming National Camps committee, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in athletic coaching, was a team captain and was a four-time All-America selection.
In addition to Quill’s strong resume, he has also coached over 100 USA National top 16 performances which includes Ben Michaelson who was the school’s first ever swimmer to qualify for the U.S. Olympic trials. Michaelson was once ranked among the top 100-meter butterfly performers in the world. He went on to capture two gold medals for the U.S. at the 2003 Pan American Games.
Senior Jared Thurston, said in his four years, the Owls swimming program has been a slow and grueling process, but with the help of Quill and assistant coach Matt Hurst, has played a major part in his development as a swimmer since his freshman year.
“When you come in as a freshman you really don’t know what to expect,” said Thurston. “Then when you meet Quill and Hurst, they really set the precedent that you are here to work and it’s all business. Just the swimming itself is tough enough alongside the pressure of performing well in class. You’re really driven to succeed especially by your team because they really push you in a positive way.”
The Owls hit the road for two meets Jan 16-17 against College of Saint Rose and Le Moyne College. This will be the last regular season meet before the NE-10 Championships the first week of February.
Photo Credit: Derek Torrellas
