After a trip to Puerto Rico during winter break, the women’s swimming and diving team continues its strong season in 2008. The team trained intensively at the University of Puerto Rico for 10 days, interspersed with trips to the beach. Members said that the trip built team stamina.
“The trip really helped with training and team cohesiveness, and it also really helps for the meets in January,” said Lauren Cruz ’09, who returns to the team this semester after studying abroad in Spain during the fall. “In Puerto Rico, we were diving outside“if it rained, we dove. If it was cold, we dove. It’s a treat to be back in our indoor pool with a hot tub. Diving has been easier.”
In addition to endurance-building weather, the 50-yard pool in Puerto Rico proved to be a challenging conditioning tool. The women are used to swimming in the 25-yard pool in Wesleyan’s Natatorium.
“Training in a long course like that helps build endurance,” said Catherine Kast ’09. “When we got back, we were definitely ready to compete in our home pool.”
The team put its training into play at home on Saturday, Jan. 19, against NESCAC rivals Williams and Tufts. Williams, the strongest team in the conference, pulled away victorious. But Wesleyan pulled off a great win over Tufts. Although the Jumbos had twice the number of swimmers, the Cards managed to stay neck and neck the entire meet, pulling ahead in the last event, the 400 freestyle, and claiming victory.
“It was a really close meet, and winning definitely showed the depth of our team,” Kast said.
Captain Amanda Shapiro ’08 captured first place in the 100-yard breaststroke event, and the team maintained its undefeated record in the 200-yard medley relay.
“The overall team success can be contributed to our excitement and enthusiasm, especially from the girls that returned from abroad,” said Shapiro.
The Cards hosted another meet on Jan. 26, dominating Colby-Sawyer College 256-33, and barely falling to Connecticut College, 134-156.
“It was a really difficult loss,” Shapiro said. “We are closely matched with Conn. But, in the middle of winter, there are likely to be many illnesses, and that definitely hurt us last Saturday.”
Still, the meet saw some standout performances by Wesleyan, in particular from freshmen team members. Cara Madden ’11 took first place in both the 100 and 200 backstroke, while scoring her best times of the season, and Janine Zaltsman ’11 took the 50 freestyle, also scoring her personal best. Amelia Lupinetti ’11 took the 200 individual medley. Jessica Houghton ’08 took the three-meter dive. Shapiro once again supplied the team with first-place finishes in the 100 breaststroke and 100 freestyle.
As Wes finishes up the season, it looks forward to hosting the NESCAC Championship, Feb. 22-24.
“Not only have we practiced in our pool every day, we have raced here all season,” Kast said. “We know the walls and blocks well, so it should be exciting to host such a big meet at home.”
The team hopes to pick up more victories in the next two home meets. On Saturday Feb. 2, it will take on Bowdoin, Colby and Trinity College. After its last regular meet of the season, on Saturday, Feb. 9, the seven seniors on the squad will be honored for their hard work over the past four years.
“[The final meets] are going to be tough, but so long as the team stays healthy and works hard, we should pull off some wins,” Shapiro said.
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