The Resurgence Of The Michigan Sprint Group

Michigan women’s swimming was a dominant force during the second half of the 2010s. The team won back to back to back Big Ten titles in 2016-2018 and then finished in the top 10 at NCAAs from 2018-2022. That era was led by its freestyle group with names such as Siobhan Haughey, the DeLoof sisters Ali, Catie, and Gabby, and Maggie MacNeil. 

The team took a step back in March 2023 with a 23rd place finish at NCAAs under head coach Mike Bottom. Bottom retired soon after and the program brought in Matt Bowe to become the team’s next head coach starting in the 2023-2024 season. Bowe hired Bryon Tansel to be associate head coach on his staff, leading the sprint group. 

“Bryon has led and pushed us to new limits and had more belief in us than we did in ourselves at times. He could see what we were all capable of and he made sure we knew that and accomplished what he knew was possible. His way of leading brought us much success and I’m excited to see where the program continues to go,” said Flynn.

In just the team’s second season under Bowe, the women’s squad finished 9th at NCAAs. The team was highlighted by 4th place finishes in both the 200 and 400 freestyle relays.

Both the 200 and 400 freestyle relays were made up of the same four athletes with sophomore Stephanie Balduccini, junior Brady Kendall, senior Lindsay Flynn, and fifth year Claire Newman. Notably, Kendall, Flynn, and Newman were all part of the same relay squads in 2023, when the team placed 15th in both events. Their growth over the past two seasons has played a key role in reestablishing Michigan’s sprint group among the nation’s elite.

Flynn spoke of the relays’ progress, “Our belief and trust in each other has allowed the relays to hit a new level. Whoever is stepping onto that block and whatever place we are diving in at, there is no question of us putting all our effort into that race.”

“We all have the same goals for our relays so going into each race doing it for each other to achieve those goals has created a new mindset for us. We also have created an environment for each other where we have so much fun before, during, and after the relays and happy swimmers are fast swimmers,” said Flynn.

Flynn and Balduccini also showcased their individual progress. The two made the ‘A’ final of the 100 freestyle on the final night in Federal way. Balduccini finished 3rd in the 200 freestyle the night before while the swim marked the first ever individual ‘A’ final for the senior Flynn. 

“Lindsay and I have always swam together during practice, so it was so exciting to compete together once again. We both didn’t make ‘A’ finals last year, [and] doing it together proved that all the work we did together was worth it and paid off. Lindsay and Claire recruited me to Michigan and are 100% the reasons that I am here today. I am so grateful for them and have learned so much,” said Balduccini.

“There was no better way to have my last individual race than be next to Steph. Walking out into that final I had a sense of comfort knowing Steph was right there with me for the race. She believed in me and I believed in her and we went out there and had fun…She is someone I have looked up to since she got here and I’m beyond thankful to have swam with her,” Flynn said.

Looking ahead, Kendall and Balduccini are poised to lead the sprint group into the future. Kendall made her own mark at NCAAs with a 9th place finish in the 50 freestyle, continuing to build momentum for a group that is once again making noise at the NCAA Championship level. 

“I’m excited with where the sprint group is going. We are all a very united group, always cheering for each other which I believe is the key to our success. We help push each other to another level,” said sophomore Balduccini.