The Observer, February 1, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 15
Women swimmers beat Wittenberg at home
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While we were all relaxing over winter break, the Spartan swimmers were hard at work, training for the rest of the season. The team took a trip to Delray Beach, Fla. from Jan. 3 through 11, where they trained in a 50-meter outdoor pool. The training schedule included two two-hour water workouts per day, in addition to thirty minutes of dry land exercises.
The team was broken down into two main training groups while on the trip. One, the power group, consisted primarily of sprinters and short distance swimmers. The other group, called the chop group, consisted of non-freestyle and distance swimmers.
"Throughout the entire season, this team has worked harder than any team I have been a part of, and the training trip was no exception. I am really excited about getting to the end of our season when everyone's hard work pays off with super fast swimming, " said head coach Chris Conlon.
Meanwhile, the team had another solid meet against Wittenberg University just last weekend at the Veale natatorium. Wittenberg has been performing exceptionally well this season, winning four of its last five races. The men's team was added to Wittenberg's list of victories when they lost by just two points. Regardless, the team put up several outstanding performances. The 400-yard medley relay team consisting of Drew Swartz, Drew Kouri, Chris Marquiss, and Dan Wolak placed first with a time of 3:38.67, putting the Spartans in the lead at the first break. Swartz went on to take first in the 200- yard IM, coming in at 2:02.27. Next, John Somerville placed first in the 200-yard breaststroke, clocking in at 2:17.38, keeping the lead in Spartan favor. The men's swimmers lost the 400-yard freestyle, however, causing them to give up the lead and resulting in a final score of 112.5-110.5 in Wittenberg's favor.
As good as the meet went for the men's team, it went even better for the women, who ended with a victory. The women's 400-yard medley relay team consisting of Ellen Crummy, Janine Machala, Emma Call, and Heather Fruman placed first with a time of 4:16.43. Call went on to win the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:18.53, while Crummy won the 200-yard backstroke with her personal best time of 2:14.18. Machala then came in with a crucial victory in the 200-yard breaststroke, with a phenomenal time of 2:30.91, putting the Spartans well in the lead for the final event. The women swimmers then went on to take first in the 400-yard freestyle, securing their first victory against the Wittenberg Tigers in over half a decade, while simultaneously ending Wittenberg's winning streak.
Next week the Spartan swimmers will be heading to Meadville, Pa., to take on Allegheny College.
