SV grad sets swim mark at Toledo
TOLEDO, Ohio — University of Toledo swimming coach Lars Jorgensen joined the Rockets three years ago to rebuild the program.
Seneca Valley graduate Kylie Gamelier has become a key tool in the process.
The sophomore breaststroke and medley swimmer recently broke the school record in the 100 breaststroke by swimming the event in 1 minute, 4.89 seconds in a dual meet against Akron.
The previous record of 1:04.99 was set by Iiris Hilvo in 2004.
"I'm not surprised I broke the record because it was one of my goals,"Gamelier said. "I was surprised I broke it during a dual meet.
"With the (Mid-American Conference) championships two weeks away, we're starting to taper now. We don't want to peak until the MACmeet, so I'm encouraged by this."
Gamelier visited Toledo's campus during Jorgensen's first season with the Rockets. He came to Toledo from LSU, where he worked with 12 all-American swimmers as an assistant coach.
Toledo swimmers broke 14 school records in Jorgensen's first two years. He expects Gamelier to break a few more.
"She could have four or five records before she's done here,"Jorgensen said. "She's very close to the 200 breaststroke mark now, and we'll eventually get her back into the butterfly.
"To break a school record in a dual meet at this time of year, without being pushed, is a tremendous accomplishment."
The butterfly was Gamelier's best event in high school. She owns Seneca Valley's school record in the 100 butterfly and she swam the butterfly portion of the Raiders' 200 medley relay that won the state championship in 2004.
Gamelier began her freshman year at Toledo swimming the butterfly, but the breaststroke quickly became her best event.
"We have a lot of good butterfly swimmers on our team and I just didn't do well enough to stay there,"Gamelier said.
That's not a problem for Jorgensen.
"Sometimes as a swimmer matures and develops, she moves into other areas of strength," the coach said. "Kylie is extremely versatile and talented in this sport. I wouldn't be surprised to see her return to the butterfly and do well.
"When you recruit an athlete, you have certain expectations. Some develop into pleasant surprises and go beyond. Kylie Gamelier is moving into that category."
Jorgensen hopes the Rockets continue moving up in the MACstandings.
"There's not a lot of tradition here in swimming," he said. "If we can finish somewhere around third or fourth in the MACmeet, I'd be very happy.
"By Kylie's senior year, I think we'll be in position to win the conference. That'd be a fitting way for her to go out."
As a freshman, Gamelier placed fourth in the 100 breaststroke at the MACChampionships with a 1:05.36. She was 10th in the 200 breaststroke and was a member of the Rockets' 200 medley relay team that placed second.
This time around, she hopes to break into the top three in both breaststroke events.
"Karen Frazier of Miami has hit 1:03.4 in the 100,"Gamelier said. "I'm a good two seconds behind her, but she's the standard I'm trying to reach."
