Mary Butkus, WUSTL Photo ServicesKelly Manning (Nashville, Tenn.) The athletic guard has a list of accolades longer than most collegiate Division I basketball players. As the 2005-’06 Women’s D-III Preseason Player of the Year, a two-time UAA Player of the Year (2004-’05 and 2005-’06), the 2006 UAA’s leading scorer with 20 points per game as well as earning the UAA single game scoring record with 39 points, and a first-team All-American for the second-straight year, there is not much else a player can achieve in Division III women’s basketball. The architecture major has had an unbelievable career at Washington University, breaking records and putting on jaw-dropping performances that will surely be missed.
Scott Stone (St. Louis, Mo.) The shooting guard earned second-team UAA honors for the third consecutive year after starting all 25 games. Stone ranked first in the UAA in three-pointers made (3.00), second in steals (1.76) and minutes played (33.84), third in assist-turnover ratio (2.02), seventh in assists (3.56), eighth in scoring (15.0) and ninth in three-point field goal percentage (.355) per game. Stone will be remembered for his 46-point performance against Fontbonne University, in which he broke the single-game school record with 14 three-pointers. His success has extended off the court as well. The mechanical engineering major has been honored with UAA All-Academic recognition for the past three years.
Jenny Scott (St. Louis, Mo.) At the 2006 NCAA National Championships, Scott placed fifth in the 200-yard freestyle, clocking a University season-best time of 1:52.86 in the final for another first-team All-America citation. Scott is a 25-time All-American, including a seven-time honoree in 2006.
Eric Triebe (Naperville, Ill.) Triebe has every reason to celebrate his successful and record-breaking swimming career. After winning the 200-yard freestyle in 1:39.12, Triebe helped the Bears pick up their second individual national championship title in men’s swimming and diving program history. The 26-time All-American, including seven first-team honors in 2006, has a lot to be proud of.
Mike Slavik (Naperville, Ill.) The 24-time All-American, including seven citations in 2006, had a monumental day Thursday at the NCAA Championships in Minneapolis. Slavik won the first individual national title in Washington University swimming and diving history, taking first in the 50-yard freestyle in 20.46 seconds; he also won the preliminary round in 20.53.
What is your best memory as a Wash. U. athlete?
Manning: After three knee surgeries in two years [while playing for a Division I school], I came to pick-up for the first time as the new kid, and I could run like the wind.
Stone: My favorite Wash. U. athletic memory is the Saturday I hit 14 threes and scored 46 against Fontbonne. The whole game was just insane and every time I think about it I start laughing. Definitely a game I’ll never forget.
Scott: It would be really difficult to come up with one. Probably swimming the 500-free for the last time and not only finally breaking the school record but also coming in second. Well, either that or tripping on the awards podium.
Triebe: Winning a national championship. It’s the most recent memory in my mind and I just remember the entire event so vividly. I remember looking up at the end of the race and seeing all the people who have supported me and my swimming career over the past 15 years just going nuts. I got out of the pool and Michael Slavik was the first to greet me with a big hug. This was fitting because Mike and I have been swimming together for longer than I can remember. Then I was greeted by my other roommate Alex Antilla, then my coach, and one by one all the members of my team. Then for the rest of the meet, I would just be walking around or warming up and random people would congratulate me on my swim. An absolutely amazing feeling to help make up for all the hard work I’ve put in over the past 16 years.
Slavik: So much of my positive experience as a Wash. U. athlete revolved around the great teammates, coaches and supporters I had along the way. Therefore, my greatest memories from the past four seasons involve observing these people in their most extreme emotions. Two memories come to mind that will be with me anytime I think back about Wash. U. swimming.
The first involves the reaction of Coach Shively after a 200-free relay time trial at the midseason meet my junior year. Immediately after the race, which easily qualified our relay for Nationals, Brad (who is always subdued and centered no matter the situation) came running down the pool deck to behind the blocks and pulled us all in for a skull crushing hug. It was fantastic to see such excitement from him.
The second memory is from just this past week. While on the podium receiving the awards for the 800-free relay, my father, Dave, was cheering with everyone else. But Dave seemed to be cheering just a bit more exuberantly than the next. Everyone was standing, and Dave was behind the top row. Not tall enough to see over the top row, Dave was jumping up and down with his fists pumping in the air – only visible to me at the peak of his jumps. Seeing him so happy brought a huge smile to my face (and all the other athletes on the podium after I pointed out my dad).
What was it like balancing an academic life with an athletic career?
Manning: It was a challenge. Given only 24 hours a day, my commitment to basketball and to architecture is a full-time job.
Stone: During the season it was always tough. Between the road trips and practice every night, free time was hard to come by. But if you prioritized and tried not to fall too far behind, everything turns out alright. One thing that was nice about basketball, no matter how stressed out I got from school, I could look forward to my practice that night to completely de-stress and take my mind as far away from classes as it could get.
Scott: Not too bad. Swimming was a great way for me to manage my time. In fact, my grades tend to go down when I’m not in season.
Triebe: [It] hasn’t been as much of a challenge as one might think because I’ve never really experienced a life without swimming. I’ve been swimming for as long as I was a student and I’ve just gotten used to balancing everything. Obviously there were some tough moments when it seemed like I had too much on my plate and I couldn’t finish, but it all worked itself out. I think that athletics have helped me learn how to manage my time better and this made the college and athletics process go much smoother.
Slavik: To be honest, balancing an academics and athletics is more natural to me than not. Because I’ve been involved in athletics and other extracurriculars for so long, I really only know what’s like to have both at the same time. What’s unnatural is when I have nothing to do at 4 p.m., don’t have to set an alarm for morning practice, don’t walk around all day wanting to take a nap and not having a sore body.
Looking back on the past four years, would you do anything differently if you could?
Manning: I’ve had some incredible experiences. I wouldn’t change a thing.
Stone: If I could go back, I would probably pull up from half court just one time to see how coach would’ve reacted.
Scott: Not a single thing.
Triebe: If I could do anything differently, I wouldn’t have. With my athletics, academics, and extracurricular activities I feel as though I’ve had an incredibly well-rounded college experience. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Slavik: I can’t say exactly when it was, but whenever I decided I wanted to turn a corner and go from an average athlete to an above-average athlete, I gave myself the goal to work as hard as my body would allow every day. After every practice I wanted to be able to look at myself in the mirror and be able to honestly say I gave that practice everything I had. So in terms of training, I really hold no regrets – and I’m very fortunate for that.
With the close of your last season behind you, what were some of your emotions and thoughts knowing that it’s all coming to an end soon?
Manning: Basketball has been a part of my life for so long. It breaks my heart to leave it today. But the lessons I’ve learned throughout my years in this sport will guide me forever.
Stone: The way our season ended was tough and pretty frustrating. But as far as ending my career, I think I had been preparing myself for it the entire season, so it wasn’t too bad. It would be great to play another year, but I had my four years and it’s time to move on and let some other players step into the limelight.
Scott: I was afraid at first that I would be sad, but in all actuality I was ecstatic.
I don’t know if it was our fifth-place finish or knowing that I’d never have to get up at 7 a.m. for practice, but either way I was very happy.
Triebe: Over the past few days, it’s been an interesting feeling knowing that I’m officially done with swimming. Part of me wants to be sad but the other part knows that it’s certainly my time to be done swimming. Maybe if my career didn’t have the storybook ending that I’ve been dreaming of since I was a young boy, I’d want to continue swimming. It’s also very nice to begin the next chapter of my life. I can now focus my time on my other interests.
Slavik: Less than a week removed from my final season, I still haven’t fully realized that it’s over. But when that does happen, I’m sure several things will come across my mind. But at the same time, athletics, especially swimming, has been such a huge part of me that I eventually will miss it. I certainly won’t be missing the early mornings or the 24-hour bus rides, but I definitely will miss the sense of team, the racing, and the rigid lifestyle of an athlete.
Is there any advice you want to leave to your teammates after gaining infinite wisdom from your experiences?
Manning: Although I haven’t mastered it yet, give. Give everything all the time.
Stone: Just to enjoy themselves. But knowing some of the characters on the team, I know they will have any trouble doing that.
Scott: Enjoy your time – whether it’s in practice, at meets, or during the off-season.
Triebe: To enjoy every minute. College athletics are so special. For the rest of your life, you’ll never have anything quite like those games or meets that you’ve been going to for the past few years. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it would be a shame if you didn’t take advantage of it.
Slavik: One, do it for you. Be a part of the Wash. U. swimming and diving program because you can get something back from it. Its ridiculous level of commitment will force great time management skills. The closeness of the team will force friendships. The small size of the program will force leadership. This program will make you achieve and excel to unknown heights.
Two, do it for others. Be a part of WUSD because relays are more important than individuals; team goals are more important than personal goals. Be a part of this program because your hard work and dedication will influence others – whether you realize it or not.
Three, never give up – on yourself or on your teammates. Never be content – always reach higher than you think you can. Treat every season like it’s your last – it’s amazing how much harder you are willing to work when it’s the last go-around.
Four, have fun. The season is way too long and hard if you can’t do it with a smile.
Fifth, enjoy the off-season.
What are your plans after graduation and what do you see the future holding in store for you?
Manning: I plan to be great! I’m just not sure in what field yet.
Stone: I’m doing a fifth-year here at Wash U to receive my Masters in Mechanical Engineering. In the meantime, though, I’ll probably try to put a little time into my new Les Paul and desperately try to improve my sub par golf game.
Scott: When I’m asked this I just laugh because honestly, I have no idea.
Triebe: Next year I’m going off to Seattle to work for Microsoft. I’m very excited about the chance that I have to work for one of the best companies in the world.
Slavik: Right after graduation, I plan on putting my majors to work as I continue to deliver gourmet sandwiches for Jimmy Johns. I have accepted an offer from Oak Brook Bank to start working as a credit analyst in July, but I have had too much fun making $6.25/hour and am considering ditching the bank.
Is there anyone you would like to thank?
Manning: My parents, my coaches, and of course, my teammates, who were incomparable.
Stone: I have to thank the coaching staff for giving me the great opportunity to play here, my teammates who made this past year so much fun and Jen (my girlfriend) for coming to every game she possibly could, and especially Matt, Trevor, Mom, and Dad for being with me and supporting me every step of the way. It’s been a fabulous ride.
Scott: Just my coach, Brad Shively. He’s taught me to be a classy individual which I try to uphold as much as I can – with little success.
Triebe: I would like to thank my parents, all my coaches, my roommates, my teammates, and all my friends who have supported me over the past 16 years. You all know who you are and even though I’ve not had a chance to thank all of you, I think you know given the opportunity I would certainly do so. I don’t know who said it, but “the journey is the reward,” and that certainly rings true in this situation. Though winning a national championship was a great capstone to my career, the real treasure that I won was the friendships and the memories that I’ve created in those years.
To Alex [Antilla] and Mike [Slavik], you guys are the best roommates, teammates, and friends that a guy could ask for. You know how much I care about our friendship and anything that I say right now would just be obligatory. I’m very glad I’ve gotten to know you and I can’t wait to enjoy the next few months with you.
Slavik: Thanks, Mom and Dad, for your never-ending support of my athletics from when I first started as a Huntington Estates Seahawk. Thanks for driving from Chicago to St. Louis (what seemed like) every weekend for four years to come watch and cheer on me and my teammates – even when we had a dual meet against Lindenwood (no offense, Lions). Thanks for the thousands of good luck presents before every day of every championship meet. Thanks for always reminding/forcing me to bring homework to meets so I could read in between events.
Thanks, Lauren, for paving my path. You showed me what it means to work hard, have dedication and be passionate in everything in which I’m involved. Thanks for using your sick days to watch me compete. Thanks for telling me I’m the best after I fail.
Thanks, Coach [Shively], for believing in me when even I didn’t. Every team goal that we’ve had and every personal goal I’ve made has been because you thought we could succeed. Thanks for spending 90 hours every week at the AC going over workouts, relay entries and emails, recruiting, although not me, and dedicating your life to a bunch of kids splashing around. Thanks for showing me what it means to be “fully committed.”
Thanks, Eric [Triebe], for being the best friend and teammate I could ever ask for. Thanks for pushing me everyday to work just a little bit harder; to lift just a little bit more; to finish just a little bit faster, to breathe just a little bit less. It will be impossible to think about swimming ever again and not imagine you right next to me – in the water, in the weight room, in the locker room, on the bus, on the plane, on the deck, on the medal stand. You forced me to into a better athlete and person.