OXFORD, Ohio – Senior Betsy Zilch was awarded the Robin Chico Award at the women’s swimming and diving banquet, an honor given to a senior student-athlete who has shown strength and motivation during times of challenge and adversity.
As he began her senior season, Zilch ruptured her Achilles tendon during a dry-land workout in September, a significant injury that would likely prevent her from competing the rest of the year. After her diagnosis, Zilch sat down with coaches Mark Davis and Jaime Keily asked how she could still fulfill her role as a team member and senior leader without being in the water.
Following her surgery, Zilch helped out on the pool deck every single day. Although she was not in the water training, she was still put in as much time at the pool as her teammates attending both morning and afternoon workouts. Zilch helped the coaching staff by running different training group practices, getting times and encouraging her teammates. As she kept progressing through her rehab and reached different milestones, there was a visible difference in the team. They not only admired Zilch for her positive attitude, but it became a situation where they felt, “if she can push through, I can push through.” Her teammates were truly inspired by her just from watching her accomplish the different milestones of her recovery.
There were days when Zilch had to help out with workouts from a chair on deck because she couldn’t stand, but her energy never wavered. As the weeks went on, she progressed in her recovery, and the day finally came where Zilch was allowed to get back in the pool. On Nov. 12, less than two months after suffering her injury, she swam for five minutes hooked up to a stretch cord.
In December, Zilch worked up to running. It started at one-minute increments and increased every two days. While the team was doing a running workout during its winter training, Zilch was able to be right next to her teammates doing her workout and continuing to inspire them.
Working with the coaching staff and sports medicine staff, Zilch persevered and got her rehabilitation to a point where she could race in the meet against Akron on Senior Night. There was not a dry eye on the pool deck as Zilch did what everyone said would be impossible. A month later, Zilch finished her collegiate career with her teammates at the Ohio State Invitational.
Even before her injury, Zilch was noted as the kind of person that every coach wants on his or her team. She loves to work hard, always hustles and always has a positive attitude and a smile. After her surgery, she truly became an inspiration to her teammates, coaches, family and friends. She showed everyone how to appreciate the small things they accomplished and the good things they had in their lives. She also taught people that they could truly do anything they put their mind to. Zilch never once brought a negative attitude to practice, never complained and never asked “why me?” She truly lived in the moment of each day and each step of her rehab, and taught her teammates how to do the same, while still encouraging them in their own training and racing.
The Robin Chico Award is presented to a graduating senior from the Miami University women’s swimming and diving team for representing the university and swimming program well during times of compelling adversity.
The Robin Chico Award was established in 2010 by Miami University alumni to recognize former varsity swimmer Robin Chico (1975-1978), who overcame hardships during the early stages of Title IX, which later became law in 1972. The previous winners are Jenna Long (2010), Ellen Barhorst (2013), Brianna Fujan (2014) and Courtney Collett (2015).
Chico joined the Miami University women’s swimming and diving team in 1975 and was ranked among the top 25 best butterfly swimmers in the world. As a freshman, she qualified for the National Collegiate Championship with five of her teammates. Chico had been seeded second in the nation in the 100 yard butterfly, and her seed time was the third fastest time at that year’s nationals.
She set records in the 100 and 200 yard fly, the 200 and 400 yard individual medleys, and the 200, 1000 and 1650 freestyles. Throughout her four years at Miami, she was undefeated in every individual event she competed in during the regular-season dual meets and was the Mid-American Conference champion in each individual contest she raced. Chico’s outstanding individual performance led her team to a 23-3 dual meet record throughout her four years at Miami. Chico was inducted into the Miami University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991.
Swimming news courtesy of Miami (OH) Swimming & Diving.