UNCW Swim & Dive + Stoked To Go Out
I hope all is well! Thank you for joining us on zoom the other day. It was a very special day for myself to be able to spend sometime at the office with Coach Allen and Ellen. Our team was energized and motivated from coach’s speech! One important message from coach was “This team is a family. We treat one another with RESPECT.” I am glad some of you were able to catch our team meeting on the zoom! Our student athletes and staff appreciate your continued support! Our divers will start competing at 2021 CAA Diving Championships this Friday. We are excited for Beau, Courtney, Kole, Caleb, Morgan, and Hunter! This is the BEST DIVING GROUP in the CAA!
I would like to extend my gratitude towards the Liston family for their generosity for our swim & dive program. “Stoked To Go Out” pier to pier race is a great event to bring back our alumni group to Wilmington while honoring our late teammate, Grey Liston. All proceeds from the event goes toward the Grey Liston Scholarships Endowment. Please check the information below and I hope to see you sign up for this year’s race! I WOULD LIKE TO RACE ALL OF YOU…. or maybe we can just swim slow together!
IT’S ALWAYS GREAT DAY TO BE A SEAHAWK!
Register to Swim as a Team – New this year, participants can register as part of a team! A prompt asking if participants wish to join or create a team will appear during registration, but additional instructions can also be found here. If you’ve already registered, it’s not too late to create or join a team so round up your circle of friends, training group or swim team and sign up today!
Hear from Brent Hoshall – The most recent recipient of the Grey Liston Scholarship, Brent Hoshall, shares how the scholarship has impacted his experience on the UNCW Swim & Dive team. Watch the video!
blueseventy discount for STGO athletes – blueseventy has been a scholarship sponsor since day one! Use code STGO21 for 20% off your purchase at blueseventy.com. Only valid on eligible products and can’t be combined with other discounts or offers.
Seahawk Spotlight: Rebecca (Rainey) Ridenhour
Name: Rebecca (Rainey) Ridenhour
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2007
Events: 500 Free, 400 IM, 1,000 Free, 200 Fly
Degree: BS in Accounting, Minor in Spanish
Profession: Accounting Manager
Current residence: Davidson, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
I really enjoyed being able to share my college swim experience with my younger brother, Bennett Rainey, for one year! Conference Championships and the excitement leading up to it is a feeling like no other – winning our conference championship in 2006 was definitely a highlight. Although Christmas training was tough – the feeling of finishing 10x 400 IM’s on the last day was the best and most rewarding feeling. The friendships I made over the years are something I will cherish forever! I am still very close to a lot of the alumni and truly cherish the friendships we made.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
The dedication, commitment and teamwork we learn through being a student athlete will be with me in every aspect of my life.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
I have been married for 5 years and have a 2.5 year old, Henry, and an 8 month old, Kennedy. I am working as an Accounting Manager at Lowe’s Home Improvement. We live about 4 hours away from Wilmington, so we are still able to take vacations to Wrightsville beach and see some of our good friends that still live there. I am a self-proclaimed “foodie” – I love good food and to keep in shape I workout with HIIT training, cardio dance and yoga.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Flaming Amy’s and chocolate chip pancakes at Wag after morning practice! I also loved Bluewater and of course, the beach!
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Team cheers and cheering “Ka-Kawwww!”
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Make it a priority to keep in touch and support your teammates over the years, even as people move away and get busy with work or growing families. Work hard and play hard. Have fun!
Seahawk Spotlight: Bennett Rainey
Name: Bennett Davidson Rainey
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2010
Events: 200 Breast, 200 IM
Degree: History
Profession: Lawyer
Current residence: Winston-Salem, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
The close friendships.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
Taught me to push my limits and that I’m tougher than I think I am; that I can handle anything life throws at me; that I can and will be productive at 5am even if I don’t want to be.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
I graduated from Wake Forest Law School and am now practicing Family Law in Winston Salem, NC. I got married in December 2018 and we have two dogs (Remi and Rango) and a horse.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Suite P.
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
“It’s a Great Day to Be a Seahawk.” – Dave Allen
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Enjoy every day. Work hard and do your best in and out of the pool. Live it up. Love and respect each other.
Seahawk Spotlight: David Myers
Name: David Myers
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 1999
Events: 50, 100, & 200 free
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Profession: Clinical Risk Manager
Current residence: Mebane, North Carolina
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
My favorite memory of the UNCW Swimming and Diving program is the spirit of Coach Allen. When I visited UNCW as a senior in high school I had no intention of joining the swim team. A coach of mine just happened to be at the pool when my father and I were on a tour, and he introduced me to Coach Allen. My times were not spectacular, but coach treated me like a top recruit. Through all my ups and downs he never stopped believing in me, even going so far on occasion as having upperclassman take me under their wing (on his instruction) when he could tell that I was losing heart and needed help coping with the physical demands of college swimming. Coach is the spirit of encouragement. For that I will always be grateful.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
In the program I learned the rewards of a physical regimen that orders one’s time and energies. I used to think during a 3 hour practice “man, if I could just get this time back, I would get so much done.” I learned when it was over that this was not the case. Very soon after the four years were over, I realized that the physical regimen was a fire and fuel for life, a balance. Thanks to four years of swimming I have never since gone a substantial amount of time without regular exercise. Swimming for Coach Allen also prepared my body to survive and thrive through the rigors of two cancers, and I can remember when a friend asked me about chemotherapy saying “it’s got nothing on Christmas training with Coach Allen!”
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
After UNCW I spent a year teaching, survived cancer, and studied for the Catholic Priesthood before deciding to get married, and I have been working at Duke Hospital now for 16 years. My wife and I live in Mebane, North Carolina with our 10-year-old son and our foster daughters who are 7 and 6 years old.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Matt Allen, Matt “Slick” Cleaver and I lived at a crummy little house (243 Spruce Dr.) that was quite a place to be on a Saturday night! If you happen to be lucky enough to see Matt Allen swim a 200 IM on the carpet, in his training suit and his “swedes,” you knew you had hung in there until the very crescendo of the party!
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
I imagine it might be frowned upon now, but closing the Star-Spangled Banner with “HOME OF THE SEAHAWKS” always gave me chills.
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
For current swimmers and divers: drink less, eat right, lift weights, sleep well, and do everything you can to be an apex predator in the water now, because you are at the height of your physical powers. For recent alumni: never abandon the water. She will always soothe what ails you. Stay in touch with swimming and diving.
Seahawk Spotlight: Caroline Williams
Q&A:
Name: Caroline Williams
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2019
Events: 500, 1000, 1650, 200 back
Degree: Studio Art with a minor in Digital Arts
Profession: Graphic Designer
Current residence: Wilmington
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
Winning the Patriot Invitational for the first time our freshman year, and then all four years. A couple years got really close and our fourth one came down to the final relay, so pulling out the win was really exciting for the women’s team!
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
Years of swimming and going through the program taught me an immense work ethic and a competitive spirit that I have taken with me into my professional life. Even though I am not in a pool much these days, I still use the mental toughness I learned from the sport both at work and in life. I also made some of my best friends and my favorite memories while on the team. My friends are like family to me and will always be in my life no matter where we all live!
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
Right after graduation, I traveled through South/East Asia with one of my classmates, then returned back to Wilmington that summer to begin my job as a graphic designer for N2 Publishing. I have been in Wilmington, working with them since. I design various magazines all over the country and in my free time still enjoy going to the beach as much as I can. I am so thankful I haven been able to stay in a place as amazing as Wilmington!
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Hillsdale, the beach, and Jimmy’s
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Girl’s “Pump it up” cheer
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Enjoy your four years as much as you can because it goes by way too fast! When you graduate, make it a priority to keep in touch with your teammates and visit one another. Also, make sure you take advantage of the tight-knit alumni association and remain involved, it is an amazing group of people that will always have your back!
Seahawk Spotlight: Elizabeth Cramond
Name: Elizabeth Cramond
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2006
Events: 200 fly
Degree: BS- International Business & BA Spanish
Profession: Language of Destination (Bilingual) Flight Attendant at JetBlue Airways
Current residence: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
Being a student athlete taught me a deep sense of dedication and determination. It also engrained in me the importance of hard work in all you do and sometimes even when you fail, you keep at it until the end.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
Since graduating in 2006, I became a certified yoga teacher and stayed in Wilmington for about 12 years working as a part time yoga teacher at the Wilmington yoga center. I also had a full time office job at the time, but I am not really the “office type” – those that know me know
what I mean..🤣. I began teaching yoga trainings, retreats and workshops around the world, which lead me to eventually sell, and give away everything I own to move to Nicaragua. There I worked at a resort and became their activities director. I started the resort’s yoga program, oversaw the onsite spa and worked as crew on a sailboat and yacht as a stewardess. After living there for 3 years, unfortunately the country went under civil unrest, tourism completely tanked, the resort closed, and I made the difficult decision to move back the the US. I moved back with one suitcase of belongings and my little Nicaraguan street dog named Canela. After months of trying to acclimate back to the first world and trying to rebuild a life here, I now am a flight attendant with JetBlue Airways. I live in South Florida and am based out of FLL airport. I live with my boyfriend who is a pilot at American Airlines and my dog Canela.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Flaming Amy’s! Wagoner! Oh yea and Neptune’s and Red Dogs🤣
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
All of them really, I LOVED cheering, but sometimes about coming out clapping screaming Sea Sea Sea SeaHAWKS! Was very special
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Cherish your time as a Seahawk swimmer or diver, at the end of it all, it’s not about how fast you swam, or your dive score, it’s about the amazing friends you meet who become your family forever.
Seahawk Spotlight: Zack Sowers
UNCW Swim and Dive class of 2016
Events: 100 fly, 200 fly, 50 free
Degree: Marine Biology
Profession: US Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue Swimmer
Current Residence: Outer Banks, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
Winning the 13th straight CAA Championship in the 400 free relay for Coach Allen’s last meet before retirement.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
The friends I made while a member of the UNCW swim and dive team have become like family to me and we still remain in close contact. Some of the older guys on the team got me to try out for Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue and I was hooked on helping people in the water ever since. I didn’t want to waste all those years staring at a black line on the bottom of the pool and loved saving people in the water on WB so I decided to join the Coast Guard and take it to the next level. None of that would have been possible without the time spent in UNCW’s pool and the influence from the older guys on the swim team that helped guide me in this direction.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
I currently reside in the Outer Banks of NC where all I do is train for my job and surf when there are waves. Not far off the life I lived as a member of UNCW swim and dive.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
42 Hillsdale and Jimmies
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
“It’s a great day to be a Seahawk” – Dave Allen
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Enjoy the time you have with your friends and teammates while you can. It passes quickly and after graduation its hard to get everyone together in the same place again like college.
Project ‘closing 2020 together with our SEAHAWK family!’
I know we are all ready to close 2020, but personally I have plenty to thankful for! Being back at UNCW is a dream come true and I’m thankful for your support!
I’d like for our program to close this year with YOU all! Please send a picture of you (and family) with UNCW SWAG! We’d like to post these pictures on our social media to show how special this alumni group is!
Please send your pictures to guntorob@uncw.edu
“It’s a great day to be a SEAHAWK!”
Seahawk Spotlight: Tom Burket
Q&A:
Name: Tom Burket
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 1991
Events: Back, Middle and Long Distance
Degree: BA, Geography
Profession: Retired Military / Government Contractor
Current residence: Sumter, SC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
Too many to mention, but obviously it was swimming under the tutelage of the finest coach I have swam for. Great team and awesome campus — don’t even recognize it anymore.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
Being part of a team translated well into the military.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
Graduated and commissioned into the US Army.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Spent a lot of time in the woods on campus learning the tradecraft for my military career and the swim house (ZOOM, ZORCH, MAFIGLIANO, BOINK).
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Mu Phi Sigma
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Enjoy this time, because 4 years is a very short time. Enjoy life before going out into the working world.
Seahawk Spotlight: Terry Cascaddan
Q&A:
Name: Terry Cascaddan
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 1982
Events: 500, 1000, 1650, 400 IM and Diving as needed
Degree: BA Psychology
Profession: Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Current residence: Wilmington, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
Being a part of the first out of state recruiting team for UNCW and their NEW Coach Dave Allen was truly a unique opportunity to help shape and grow a winning program going 9-2 our freshman year in 1978. We never looked back at that point, only forward, to what we could do as a team.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
I am still very competitive at work and at play and have been fortunate to transfer my enthusiasm and will to win in my sales career, capturing 7 National Sales Awards Trips all over the world in the last 20 years.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
Well, Leisha my wife for the last 32 years, and I love Wilmington and have been fortunate to be able to stay here and enjoy the beach and vacation-like-atmosphere all year long.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
The Patio (which is now the Domino’s Pizza), The Crest (which is now a health club), and the Four Winds Disco which became The Mad Monk and is now gone.
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
My fav was the one where we beat the kick boards and Plexiglas, or anything else, as we came out from under the deck….DA TA DA, DA TA DA, DA TA DA TA DA TA……you know the one. No words to it until the end when everyone went nuts….still gives me chills.
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Enjoy your time here and make preparations for what you want to do after all the fun and hard work is over. The world is tough, you just have to be tougher and want to succeed and overcome the obstacles because there will be many.