This season, head coaches of DePauw’s swim team don’t seem to be holding their breath for their swimmers.
Women’s Swimming and Diving Coach Ben Hewitt said the team members worked hard over Winter Term to utilize the extra time available to them.
“We were able to get creative with practice times, practice groups, etc. but we also have to challenge ourselves to stay active and keep busy during the time period. I think our team was able to train at a high level but also get the necessary rest that is sometimes harder to come by during the regular semester,” Hewitt said.
Hewitt made a conscious effort to structure the practices differently this season.
“We improvised a bit more with our training groups and threw some different things at them during training that will hopefully enhance their performance,” he explained.
Hewitt also thinks the team's development out of the pool is just as important as their chemistry in the pool. The team frequently attends events such as movie nights and trips to the bowling alley to make good use of their time together.
Head Men’s Swimming and Diving Coach Adam Cohen says he looking forward to the upcoming season and he sees a lot of potential for this year’s team.
“This is a young team, which is something I have not had in a long time,” Cohan said. “Even in the pre-meet press release from the NCAC they refer to us as young.”
With the addition of many new faces, Cohen was forced to adapt his coaching style to better fit the needs of his team.
“With young teams you need to be more patient,” he said. “You need to remember that every experience is new to them. The college experience of balancing so much is harder. I have counted much more on my seniors to be mentors and help the young guys.”
Both coaches have had adjustments to their teams this season and look forward to see their swimmers’ hard work pay off in the upcoming conference meets.
The men’s and women’s teams will compete next at the North Coast Atlantic Conference Championships in Granville, Ohio on Feb. 10-13.