As the crowd and the teams prepared for the final home meet against Duke — a meet the men’s and women’s teams won by scores of 176-90 and 175-133, respectively — they heard something strange: the sound of “God Save the Queen” ringing through Koury Natatorium.
Dave Lohse, the spokesman for the swimming and diving teams, was singing the British national anthem in honor of senior Nick Lowe, who is from London, England.
Singing national anthems for foreign athletes on their Senior Night is a tradition Lohse has carried on for almost a decade.
“It’s just a fun thing to do and I love doing it and I love singing,” Lohse said.
Since starting the tradition in 2006, Lohse has sung the national anthems from France, Canada, Malaysia and many others. He said he always memorizes them and sings them in their native languages.
“The one national anthem I am completely incapable of singing is the United States of America,” he said. “I cannot sing it. I cannot hit the notes. I have a baritone voice, but I sing a heck of a great La Marseillaise.’”
Lohse said he is looking forward to the end of the men’s lacrosse season when he gets to sing “O Canada,” which he considers his specialty.
Along with Lowe, the men’s side celebrated seven other seniors, while the women’s side celebrated three.
