GUEST PHOTOGRAPHERThe Cabrini swim team exploded with excitement on Feb. 12 for their final meet against long-time rival, Eastern University’s, swim team. Rivalry, however, was not the word to describe this meet. The relentless cheering for each other showed camaraderie between two teams that a reporter has never witnessed.
The budding team concluded their second season with many record breaking performances and a feeling of optimism for future years. The screams of support echoed in the Cabrini natatorium as swimmers torpedoed themselves through their last strokes of the season.
Notable performances were put forth by freshman Meghan O’Leary who broke records for the 200-meter freestyle with a time of 2:16 and 100 meter butterfly with a time of 1:09. ” I improved my times so much since high school and I owe it all to the coaching. These are the best coaches that I have had,” O’Leary said.
Freshman Christina Clark has also seen improvements in her times. She met her goal of swimming under seven minutes in the 500-meter freestyle. “We all had our personal goals to achieve and we have all achieved those goals or came very close to them,” Clark said. Clark’s love for swimming is not the only reason she enjoys being a Lady Cav. “I like to be on the swim team because the girls on it are like my second family,” Clark said.
“I thought the team swam well. We set many personal best times. Cabrini and Eastern got along famously and I think the swim teams can be the ones who bring more of a camaraderie between the schools,” Cabrini head coach Michael Kernicky said.
Next year the team plans to add some depth to its line up with seven already-enrolled swimmers. Several recruits have spend overnight visits with the swim team to get to know the team atmosphere and acquainted with the campus. “We have made great strides in the right directions. Not that last season wasn’t fun, but our team is like wine, it gets better each year. I’m looking forward next year to the new recruits coming,” said Derek Kay, second year assistant coach.
The team has been getting more serious and is planning to go to Florida next winter for a training trip. Fundraising is one of the top goals on the swim team’s agenda for its off -season.
During the off-season, captains will be holding voluntary practices. These work outs will include weight lifting, running and swimming. Any students who have an interest in swimming next year are encouraged to start working out with the team.
Posted to the web by Chayne Roland
