Howell is in his second year at the helm of the Emory swimming and diving program, hoping his success will rub off on the host Eagles. Howell's challenge is to keep his inexperienced athletes calm, many of whom will be swimming in their first NCAA meet. So don't expect the coach to be in a nostalgic mood, although he'd have every right to be. He is the only male swimmer in NCAA Division III history to win the 50-yard freestyle three consecutive years. But it's exciting at the same time.
Experience plays a major role.
Howell's fondest memories of the nationals are of his final race anchoring Kenyon's 400-yard freestyle relay team in 1990. Kenyon came into the race in an unfamiliar role of underdog to the University of California-San Diego. UCSD's relay had threatened the NCAA record in the preliminary heats, while Kenyon had to fill out their relay with swimmers who had qualified in other events. When the gun went off, Kenyon and UCSD battled stroke for stroke, ahead of the record pace. Howell's competitive experience has helped his coaching.