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Crimson Characters: Swimming and Diving's Geoff Rathgeber
Courtesy: Harvard Athletic Communications
Release: 02/22/2008
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Courtesy: DSPics.com
//Editor's Note:/
The feature story below, on men's swimming and diving co-captain Geoff
Rathgeber
<http://www.gocrimson.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9000&ATCLID=649078>,
is part of a year-long commitment to highlight Harvard's captains and
many other intriguing student-athletes. For more question-and-answer
features click here
<http://www.gocrimson.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9000&ATCLID=1256315>and
enjoy with us the high-caliber student-athletes whom we have come to
enjoy./
Men's swimming and diving senior co-captain Geoff Rathgeber
<http://www.gocrimson.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9000&ATCLID=649078>
and his teammates currently sit at 9-0 in dual meets and are ranked 22nd
in the nation. He has been a two-time ECAC Men's Swimmer of the week
with the most recent being Feb. 6.
There have been many great moments in the pool for Rathgeber but one
meet during his freshman season stands out from all the rest.
"We had just beaten Princeton at the League Championship meet. We had
gone undefeated and had achieved our goal of a perfect season. We were
all celebrating in the water as our coach, Tim Murphy
<http://www.gocrimson.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9000&ATCLID=649072>,
ascended the 7.5 meter diving tower and did a one-and-a-half off of it
while fully clothed."
/*What is your concentration here at Harvard?*/
I am in the America field of history and literature.
/*
How has it prepared you for life when you graduate?*/
I bet most people at Harvard would argue that they didn't learn anything
practical from the classes that they took here. While I can't say I am
going to use the knowledge I have gained about history and literature of
America, my concentration has helped me in other ways. Because most of
my classes are small, I have greatly improved my communication skills,
particularly my writing. Also, the small classes have forced me to do my
work--that's helped me build close reading/analytical skills.
/*
What can you take from athletics and apply it to the classroom and what
can you take from the classroom and apply it to athletics?*/
Honestly, I think of swimming as a fifth class. Maybe a fifth and sixth
class considering how much time I devote to it. Swimming has sharpened
my organizational and time management abilities. It also has taught me
that what you get out of something has direct correlation to what you
put in.
/*
Why did you choose to attend Harvard and what other schools did you
consider?*/
For me, it came down between Harvard and Stanford. I chose Harvard
because I didn't want to be pigeonholed as an athlete. On a lot of other
D-I campuses, there seems to be a divide between the student and the
athlete populations, but I thought Harvard did a great job at bridging
that gap. I also knew that the coaching staff here could do as good a
job as any other staff in helping me achieve my goals.
/*
You were elected as team captain for the upcoming season. What does this
honor mean to you?*/
It was an honor to be elected as one of the two captains for the team.
It means that my teammates and friends think I am doing something right
in both the pool and the locker room. I am truly thankful that they have
put their trust and good faith in me, and it makes me want this team to
succeed on all levels this year.
/*
As captain, what will be your most important role?*/
As I understand it, there are two important parts of being a captain.
First, a captain should be a mediator between the coaching staff and the
rest of the team. Second, he or she should be a role model who leads by
example for younger members of the team.
/*
What has been your best memory in the pool? At Harvard?*/
My best memory in the pool occurred this past summer at the Pan Am Games
down in Brazil. After waiting four days to swim, I finally got a chance
to do the 200 Individual Medley. The only problem was that it was 50
degrees, rainy and very windy outside. Despite the bad weather, I
recorded my best time by a second and a half and won my heat, beating
the Brazilian next to me. As I sat on the wall, I just remember seeing
my name with a one next to it on the scoreboard and hearing the
Brazilian fans booing me for beating their swimmer. Some people would
not have liked to hear them boo--but for me, it was awesome. At Harvard,
my favorite moment was when I was a freshman. We had just beaten
Princeton at the League Championship meet. We had gone undefeated and
had achieved our goal of a perfect season. We were all celebrating in
the water as our coach, Tim Murphy
<http://www.gocrimson.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9000&ATCLID=649072>,
ascended the 7.5 meter diving tower and did a one-and-a-half off of it
while fully clothed.
/*
Who is the best teammate to sit with on road trips and why?*/
As fun as my teammates are, I'd rather have an empty seat next to me so
that I can stretch out. I'm excited for this year because after three
years of sharing seats, I finally get my own.
/*
What athlete most impresses you at Harvard that is not a teammate?*/
The athlete who impresses me the most happens to be, in my opinion, the
most underrated athlete at Harvard. Her name is Beth Kolbe. Beth doesn't
have the use of her legs, but she is one of the most talented and
dedicated swimmers I have ever seen. She is an American record holder
for multiple events, and she deserves all the credit in the world for
her achievements.
/*
When not at practice how do you like to spend your free time?*/
Depending on how tired I am from morning practices, I'll either go out
for some fun in Harvard Square or watch some online television in bed.
/*
What is one sport that you do not have a background in that you would
love to try at Harvard?*/
I would love to try hockey. I'm not sure I would be good at it, but it'd
be fun get out on the ice.
/*
If you could work out with one professional athlete, from any sport, for
a day, who would it be and why?*/
I'd like to spend a day with Tiger Woods. Personally I am not a golfer,
and I don't even consider myself a fan of golf, but Tiger really
impresses me. I'd be interested to learn how he deals with the fame and
pressure of being one of the most recognizable faces in sports today.
Also, I hear his workout routine is pretty intense, so that'd be fun to
try as well.
/*
What is the best way to spend $10 on food in Harvard Square?*/
A quesadilla from Felipe's, french fries from Charlie's and a frappe
from Bartley's.
/*
What movie can be found in your DVD player at the moment?*/
The Office--Season 3.
/*
Last album you bought?*/
Does anyone buy albums anymore? It would probably be Sounds Like This by
Eric Hutchinson.
/*
What game show would you like to be featured on?*/
Don't Forget the Lyrics.
/*
What reality TV show would you like to be on?*/
Survivor--the reward challenges always come down to swimming abilities.
/*What is the best spot on campus? In Boston?*/
People on the river give it a bad name, but the Quad is the best place
in my book. It is removed from the craziness of Harvard Square and the
most "college" place Harvard has to offer on the weekends.
In Boston, I'm all for the North End. I lived there during the summer
between my sophomore and junior year. It's got some of the best food in
the world, and everything is within walking distance.
/*If you had a free ticket to any sporting event in the world what would
it be?*/
I'd love an all-access pass to next summer's Olympics in Beijing.
/*What do you think happened at the end of The Sopranos?*/
They definitely got whacked.
/*
Favorite professional sports teams?*/
I'm a Patriot's fan, but I miss the glory days of the Hartford Whalers.
/*
If you could have lunch with any three people in history who would they
be and why? */
Adam Smith: I'd pick his brain about capitalist theory, so I could
impress people in my job interviews that I am going through right now.
Leonardo DaVinci: I could ask him if all that stuff Dan Brown wrote
about him was true. Walt Disney: A major part of my thesis focuses on
his crucial business decisions during the 1950s.
Dear Alums,
The Varsity Club and the Hall of Fame Committee (co-chaired by Lane
MacDonald '88-'89 and Char Joslin '90 and including Jeanne Downs '84,
Scott Collins '87, Bob Glatz '88, long-time Head Trainer Dick Emerson
and long-time Sports Information Director John Veneziano) needs your
help. There was a "Call for Nominations" in the Jan. 30th issue of "News
& Views" and now the Varsity Club is following up with individual
sports' alums.
The criteria for Hall of Fame induction is listed below. We appreciate
any and all assistance to make sure the committee does not overlook any
worthy candidates for induction. *Please send us any nominees you may
have by March 14th* so they can be reviewed at the next Hall of Fame
committee meeting.
The committee is currently reviewing candidates for 2009 induction. The
2008 class -- listed below -- will be inducted at the Harvard Club of
Boston on Comm. Ave. on* Friday, May 9, 2008*.
*For a complete list of men's and women's swimmers already inducted in
the Varsity Club Hall of Fame go to:*
http://www.varsityclub.harvard.edu/Hall%20of%20Fame/hofswimming.html
*
*One way the HOF Committee is trying to stay on top of all Hall of Fame
candidates is by creating a running list of candidates for each sport,
regardless of whether the athlete has been out for 15 years and is
eligible for induction yet or not. Even if you don't have any nominees
for 2009 at this time, we would appreciate any nominations you have so
we can start compiling the statistical data for those candidates.
Thank you in advance for your help. Please send nominations to
mcneeley(a)fas.harvard.edu or to the mailing address below or call
617-495-3535.
Best,
Paul McNeeley
Assistant Director, Harvard Varsity Club
617-496-9356
*HARVARD VARSITY CLUB HALL OF FAME
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS*
The Harvard Varsity Club is now accepting nominations for the Hall of
Fame Class of 2009 scheduled to be inducted in the spring of 2009. The
Hall of Fame committee will consider anyone or any team who:
. has been a graduate of the college for 15 years (1994 or prior)
. excelled for multiple years in a sport while an undergraduate at
Harvard
. achieved greatness in a sport at the time when competing at Harvard
_If you would like to make a nomination please send recommendations and
supporting statistical data to:_
Paul McNeeley, Assistant Director in the Harvard Varsity Club --
mcneeley(a)fas.harvard.edu or
Harvard Varsity Club, Murr Center, 65 North Harvard Street, Boston, MA 02163
*HARVARD VARSITY CLUB HALL OF FAME
CLASS OF 2008*
*To be inducted on * Friday, May 9, 2008*
Elizabeth Berkery Drury '93 (Lacrosse)
Ted Drury '93 (Hockey)
Sarah Leary '92 (Lacrosse)
Erin Maher Salvador '93 (first-ever Women's Basketball player inducted)
Mike Smith '81 (Soccer)
Larry Terrell '70 (Squash)
--
Paul McNeeley
Assistant Director, Harvard Varsity Club
Direct: 617-496-9356
Main: 617-495-3535
Fax: 617-496-8296
Murr Center
65 North Harvard Street
Boston, MA 02163
www.varsityclub.harvard.edu
To donate online to a Friends group, visit www.gocrimson.com and click on "Make a Gift"
I invite you go the website listed below to watch a short video named
the "Last lecture".
It is given by 46 year old Carnegie-Mellon Professor Randy Pausch. It is
a remarkable
lecture that I trust you will find inspirational.
http://www.sonnyradio.com/lastlecture.html
Geoff Rathgeber Selected ECAC Men's Swimmer of the Week for Second
Time This Season
Courtesy: Harvard Athletic Communications
Release: 02/07/2008
Rathgeber won three individual races at the HYP meet.
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Courtesy: DSPics.com
Rathgeber won three individual races at the HYP meet.
*Cambridge, Mass. - *Senior Geoff Rathgeber
<http://www.gocrimson.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=41030&SPID=3654&DB_OEM_ID=9…>
(Kensington, Conn.) was named ECAC Men's Swimmer of the Week Feb. 6.
This is the second time he has been honored with the award this season.
Rathgeber captured three events last Friday at the HYP meet, including
the 100 breaststroke, 200 IM and 400 medley relay, and continued to swim
well Saturday with victories in the 400 IM and 200 medley relay.
He teamed with classmate Pat Quinn
<http://www.gocrimson.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=41030&SPID=3654&DB_OEM_ID=9…>,
junior Bill Jones
<http://www.gocrimson.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=41030&SPID=3654&DB_OEM_ID=9…>
and freshman Jordan Diekema
<http://www.gocrimson.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=41030&SPID=3654&DB_OEM_ID=9…>
in the 200 medley relay (1:29.85). Rathgeber's marks in the 400 IM
(3:53.18) and 100 breaststroke (54.95) were NCAA "B" standard qualifying
times.
Rathgeber touched the wall first in the 200 IM (1:49.44) and, along with
Diekema, Bill Jones
<http://www.gocrimson.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=41030&SPID=3654&DB_OEM_ID=9…>
and Pat Quinn
<http://www.gocrimson.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=41030&SPID=3654&DB_OEM_ID=9…>,
won the 400 medley relay (3:17.87). Harvard won the HYP meet, defeating
Princeton, 213.5-139.5, and downed Yale, 227.5-125.5.
Harvard is ranked No. 22 in the latest CollegeSwimming.com poll and is
now 8-0 overall and in first place in the EISL with a 7-0 record.
Rathgeber is the third member of the Crimson to be honored by the ECAC
this season, as Bill Jones
<http://www.gocrimson.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=41030&SPID=3654&DB_OEM_ID=9…>
was named ECAC Swimmer of the Week Jan. 31, and Lucas Sanders
<http://www.gocrimson.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=41030&SPID=3654&DB_OEM_ID=9…>
was honored as ECAC Diver of the Week Jan. 10. Rathgeber was also
selected ECAC Swimmer of the Week Dec. 5.
No. 22 Men's Swimming and Diving Travels to Penn Looking to Grab EISL
Regular Season Title
Courtesy: Harvard Athletic Communications
Release: 02/07/2008
Eric Lynch won the 1650 freestyle at the HYP meet.
View larger <javascript:ViewPhoto('980525','300','400','400','980525');>
Courtesy: DSPics.com
Eric Lynch won the 1650 freestyle at the HYP meet.
*The Particulars:*
The Harvard men's swimming and diving team travels to Philadelphia for
its final regular season dual Saturday, Feb. 9 at noon at Penn's Sheerr
Pool. No.22 Crimson (8-0, 7-0 EISL) will look to clinch the EISL regular
season title as it faces the Quakers (6-5, 2-5 EISL). Harvard has won
the last four meetings against Penn, including a 189-101 victory last
season.
***Scouting the Quakers:*
Penn enters the weekend with EISL victories against Columbia (185-114)
and Dartmouth (208-87). Last weekend, the Quakers downed West Chester,
180-119, at home. Penn is 3-2 at Sheerr Pool this season.
Against West Chester, James Fee took the 1000 freestyle in 9:25.44 and
placed first in the 500 free with a time of 4:34.23. Pat Gallagher
captured the 200 freestyle, swimming the event in 1:39.80. Other winners
included Christ Weitekamp in the 100 backstroke (52.60), Devon Carr in
the 50 freestyle (21.10) and 100 freestyle, as Pat Gallagher touched the
wall first in 45.79.The 400-free relay team of Devon Carr, Pat
Gallagher, Chris Weitekamp and Kyle Loughran won the race with a
collective time of 3:05.28.In the diving events, Aaron Levy took the
1-meter board with 288.38 points and the 3-meter event with 335.48.
**.*Up Next:*
Harvard has three weeks off before competing at the ECAC Championships
Feb. 29 - March 2 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
