Even Michael Jordan needed a strong supporting cast.
The seniors on the men's swimming team comprise arguably the fastest class in team history. But Jesse Gage, Carl Hessler, Jamie Leahy and friends can't win alone.
Luckily for them, the Princeton roster is packed with the talent and depth needed to score well at meets.
Several Tigers in particular have stepped up their performances this year, dropping their times and racing up the depth chart.
Witness sophomore Jeremy Tillman. Already this season, he has set personal bests in five events: the 50, 100 and 200 backstroke, the 200 individual medley, and the 100 free.
Setting personal bests this early in the season is difficult. At this point in the year, most team members are several seconds off their personal bests.
The Tigers' training program is designed to allow them to peak for Eastern Championships in March. Only then, after tapering and shaving, do most swimmers turn in top times.
For Tillman, however, stroke adjustments made at the end of last year have translated to fast times this season. Specifically, he quickened his hand recovery to increase the efficiency of his stroke. Tillman also cited the weight-training program as beneficial.
"I finished out last year strong, and the success carried over," Tillman said. "The changes just take a while to implement."
Head coach Rob Orr takes an individualistic approach to technical adjustments. Believing that each swimmer has different needs, he generally waits for swimmers to come to him for help with strokes. Once swimmers take the initiative, coaches can use resources like filming to help make improvements.
"They have a better awareness of their body," he said. "I don't think of myself as a stroke technician, but as more of a training administrator."
Another sophomore on the rise is freestyle specialist Justin Chiles. He has turned in impressive times at distances ranging from the 50m to the 500. He swam particularly well at last month's Princeton Invitational. In addition to contributing to three winning relay teams, he took third in two individual events and fourth in another.
Chiles has clearly benefited from Orr's unique approach. Unlike Tillman, however, his improvement is not due to technique adjustments. Rather, it is a result of getting acclimated to college swimming.
"Coach Orr gives us the leeway to find what we need to succeed," Chiles said. "Last year I was just getting my feet wet; now, I know what I can provide myself and what I can take from the coaches."
According to Orr and senior co-captain Jamie Leahy, such a yearlong period of adaptation is normal for freshman. The rookies must adjust to a new coach and training program, as well as the pressure of Princeton's academics. As a result, it takes a year to take advantage of all that the program offers.
Chiles also noted being inspired by the outstanding senior class.
"You see their names on the record boards, and then you're swimming with them," Chiles said.
In truth, the elder statesmen on the team benefit from the relationship just as much.
"There's a give and take," Leahy said. "Both sides push each other."
Backstroke specialist Steve Fleming, a junior, is blooming later than Chiles and Tillman. Like each of them, Fleming benefited from training and maturation, but the biggest factor has been mental. Huge progress was made last summer at Senior Nationals.
"His times were amazing," Leahy said. "He's realized that he's an unbelievable swimmer."
The confidence boost has resulted in near personal-bests in the 50, 100, and 200 back and the 200 IM. In fact, Fleming is close to the school record for the 200 back, an event in which Orr believes he can qualify for NCAA championships.
Fleming is not alone in benefiting from a psychological change. All three swimmers have been boosted by a change in approach.
"They've all stepped it up a notch or two," Orr said. "A big percentage of improvement at this level is due to attitude."
Chiles, Fleming, and Tillman may be role players for now, but their improvements put them in the fast lane to future stardom.
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