Marshall University’s swimming and diving team broke 13 school records Saturday on its way to its best finish in C-USA history.

The team is adamant that its best years still lay ahead.

Head coach Bill Tramel said while he is proud of his team’s fourth place performance, this is what is now expected of the team.

“I honestly expected to have results like we had this year,” Tramel said. “When you approach things with confidence as opposed to ‘Oh, I hope I do well,’ you will have success. And that’s what we talk about on a regular bases here. We have high expectations which means the players will have high expectations for themselves.”

Kaley Gregory, senior member of the swimming and diving team, said Tramel has changed the culture of Marshall’s swimming and diving program.

“He runs it like a first-class Division 1 program,” Gregory said. “I’m excited for the younger girls on the team because there’s really nowhere for the team to go but up. I can see the consistent development thanks to the coaching staff, and I’m excited for the future of Marshall’s swimming and diving team.”

Senior Lauren Hurd, who helped break the school’s 400-yard relay record in the C-USA Championships, said the program has come a long way since her freshman year.

“The team’s definitely heading in the right direction,” Hurd said. “The coach we had my freshman year was a good coach, but he didn’t really make the best decisions. I think that experience actually helped get the team to where it’s at now.”

Tramel said despite losing four seniors, he doesn’t expect the team to take a step back next season.

“We’re obviously going to miss their leadership,” Tramel said. “But there’s just so much to look forward to with the group we have coming back.”

Malcolm Walton can be contacted at [email protected].