faloes were a small team of nine swimmers they all went into it with a positive attitude and high hopes. "I'm just going to go and do my best and hopefully improve my times," Alexander explained. When assistant coach Richard Denney was asked about his outlook on the team and their strong paints he commented, "I think the team had a good spirit throughout the whole season and we ended strong. Alexander was our strong man and claimed five school records this year. He broke the 100-yard and 200-yard butterfly, the 100-yard, 1650-yard and 500-yard freestyle. Ashley broke the 200-yard freestyle and was a member of the relay team which also broke the current school record. Along with Ashley on the relay team were Alexander, Butcher and Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald also claimed the 400 1M record." The team ended up finishing fourth in the conference but broke nine school records. Coach Boustead, now in his seventh season as coach of the swim team, said that this year's emphasis was placed on achieving individual goals. Gary Ashley received the award for most improved swimmer \his season. The award for hardest worker was presented to Scott Peyton for his dedication and motivation. The most valuable swimmer went to Glen Alexander for breaking school records and being high point man for the season. This was the first year for Harding to participate in water polo. For their little experience, Coach Boustead feels they did well. They plan to start off next year with water polo and even do better. Coach Boustead feels that water polo will help get the guys in shape for their competitive season. The team will not be losing any members next season and ·is even looking forward to some outstanding freshmen coming in. The coaching staff feels that the season ended strong and on a good note. They can only look forward to next season and another shot at the AIC title. ~ Stroke, Stroke. Glen Alexander swims his speciality the 200-yard butterfly in a dual meet. - photo by Matt Wissinger. Team Unity. Allen Fitzgerald comes to the wall strong in the backstroke leg of the team relay. photo by Matt Wissinger. 1984 AIC Swimming and Diving Results Ouachita Baptist University 624 Henderson State 581 Hendrix College 316 HARDING UNIVERSITY 163 University of Central Arkansas 33 Swimmer Excels Swimmer Gano Butcher, a junior ac· counting major from Yamhill, Ore. , about 20 miles southwest of Portland, was named to the 1:985 Academic All-America team selected by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. He had a 3.71 cumulative GPA which ranked him fifth among the 200 athletes who participated in the NAIA national meet in Indianapolis , Ind . A letterman in swimming in high school where he was also a member of the symphonic wind ensemble and the national honor society, Butcher enrolled at Harding on an ACT scholarship , having achieved a composite summarY 'score of 27 on the ACT test. An older sister had preceded him to Harding. As a freshman, Butcher earned All-AIC recognition and qualified for the NAIA national meet in the 200-yard breast stroke. He was a versatile swimmer in the sprint races , excelling in the 100-yard butterfly and 200-yard individual medley. He also swam on the 400-yard and 800-yard medley relay teams. He did not participate in swimming as a sophomore but he rejoined the team as a junior and had an excellent season. As a member of the 800-yard freestyle relay team, he qualified for the nationals which enabled him to receive the Academic All-America recognition. When he was asked about the way he competed this season, he stated, "It wasn't my best season ever, but I plan to give it my all next year and work harder toward my goals." Swim coach, Jack Boustead, commented , "I think Gano realizes that he has potential still in front of him. Next year he could very possibly be a national qualifier in two or even three events." Specializing in the breast stroke, along with the butterfly and backstroke, Butcher could have his most outstanding year as a senior. With the excellent academic record he has achieved , he could be NAIA Academic AllAmerica for the second successive year and also make the NAIA All-American Swimming Team. At the same time, he will be an excellent role model for the younger team members. f1l!~ Chris Turner and Dr. Joseph E. Pryor Swimming 143
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