As you know, this is the meet we focus on during the first semester. Not necessarily for national cuts or team score (hard to do when the entire junior class is abroad) but rather as a marker for where each team member is in their season development. These performances serve as validation for the individual work team members completed in September & October (and for some over the summer) and the effort put in during November. At the same time - they also provide us with a glimpse or early predictor of where each individual might be in February or March. On a higher level, the two day invitational style meet also brings to the front the character of each individual and the collective team.
So now returning to the recap in the first paragraph ... lets just say, How 'bout them Mules!! This was by far the best end of semester meet we had at Colby in the past 10 years and I am so proud of our team as a group and with their individual achievements! Multiple best unshaved times, upperclassmen swimming significantly faster than in previous years, a smattering of lifetime bests (in prime events!), and a theme of season best times. As a team we had a proactive focus on the process and meet - which became stronger as the meet went on.
Even more exciting our success this weekend has carried over into the pool this week ... the week prior to finals can be a tough one, but our spirit, energy and effort has been significant in the first three practices. This only reaffirms what we saw this past weekend.
In our weekly performance reviews, 97% of the team responded that they were either 'totally psyched' or 'cool with it' in terms of their performances. And many also wrote how proud they were of their teammates achievements and the support they received. As one might imagine we had multiple nominations for Performer of the Week as their were many standout moments. In the end, three team members were selected:
AIMEE SHEPPARD '10
Aimee is the women's performer of the week for her success in the 200 Fly, 500 Free and 1650 this weekend as well as for her dedication to training this fall and for the passion and personal time she has given to her teammates. In the 200 Fly Aimee is already 7 seconds ahead of where she was last year at this time. Her posting of 5:41.8 in the 500 Free was a season best swim by 4.2 seconds and is over 5 seconds faster than her time at MIT in 2008. The most impressive of Aimee's swims, however, was the 1650 where she posted a time of 19:36.1. This swim is 25 seconds faster than her time one week previously at the UNE meet! It is also a lifetime best! Congrats to Aimee!!SAM ANDLER '12
Sam is having an incredible beginning to his season. Not only is he well ahead of where he was last season at this time but he is also ahead of anything he imagined at the start of this season. As one teammate put, "Sam swam out of his mind!" He broke th 1:00 barrier for the first time ever unshaved popping at 59.58. In the 100 free, Sam also posted an unshaved best time with a 54.51. But it was in the 200 Fly (not Sam's favorite event) that he really took a huge step forward with a lifetime best 2:22.64 - where (with the exception of turns) Sam followed a sound race strategy. Congratulations Sam, this is a well deserved honor!!... and maybe with all these improvements you wont be as tired on training camp this year as you were last year. .
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ADAM SPIERER '13
This weekend Adam personified what it is to be a member of the Colby Swimming & Diving Team. Adam spent a majority of the week at home with his family after the passing of his grandmother, but met up with the team on Saturday morning ready to be with friends and see what he could do to help the team. His arrival at the hotel was met with hugs, compassion and warm welcomes from teammates. On deck Adam cheered for everyone, brought smiles to our faces and swam lights out! ... posting a lifetime best in the 100 back, a season best 1:08.39 in the 100 breast and an unshaved best in the 100 free of 54.78. As one of his teammates said, "Adam had a truly inspired meet on Saturday for himself and the team. He set himself up for a great rest of the season and I'm excited to see what he can do!" Well done Adam!!
So as we look forward...
Reading period begins in 3 days with Examinations starting in 7 days.
We depart for training camp in less than three weeks and will swim Middlebury and have our Family Banquet (Senior Speeches!!) in just under five weeks...
Looking forward to it all!
