Friday’s swim meet marked the beginning of the swim team’s 2009-10 season.

Though they didn’t win the meet, the team still has high hopes for the rest of the season.Shawn D. Hendrix returns this year as coach.

This is Hendrix’s ninth season as head coach of the Lady Aggies Swim Team.

Hendrix has been instrumental in the yearly improvement and overall academic quality of the swimming program since it became one of the 15 varsity sports in 1998.

Hendrix said that college sports can play a great role in a student-athlete’s life in terms of providing self-discipline, focusing of goals, motivation and community service.

Hendrix was instrumental in leading the Aggies into their new conference, the CCSA.

As members of the CCSA, the Aggies will be able to cut down on their travel time and the conference championships will be hosted in North Carolina.

Hendrix said money was a factor in the change.

“The budget cuts affected everyone in the university. A lot of swim coaches, along with me, kind of saw it coming.

We planned in advance so that we can get more bang for our buck. Basically we’re traveling smart; when we travel we’ll swim against three teams in one stop.

“Hendrix went on to say that she “knows” that the team will have a good season.

“We have good leadership and the underclassmen are definitely stepping up to the plate.” 

The swim team has won the HBCU swim meet four years in a row.

They’ve finished in the top 16 in relays and this year they say they are planning to finish in the top eight. 

The reigning Miss Sophomore Jasmine Gurley has been a part of the swim team since her freshman year.

“The team is a lot stronger this year and I look forward to seeing the individual improvements throughout the season,” Gurley said.

Coach Hendrix also expressed thanks to the student body for supporting the team.

“I would like to give a huge Aggie Pride to the students here at A&T!

Our first swim meet in Corbett was packed last Friday and we all really appreciate it.

The support from the crowd really does impact our performance in a good way, so I just wanted everyone to know the gesture did not go unnoticed.”

The team’s next meet is Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. in Corbett Gym against Florida A&M.

It will be their last home meet until Jan. 8.

• Sylvia Obell