By Kim Gaity
The women’s swimming and diving team is looking to capture their third straight NEC championship this season, which officially kicks off Saturday, Oct. 17 at Northeastern University, but it’s not their only goal.
It’s been a year since the team was named the ECAC Champs in 2008 so the team hopes to return the crown to CCSU in addition to qualifying some girls for the NCAA Invitational, which hasn’t been done for three years.
It may seem like a tall order, but according to head coach Bill Ball, “This team has definitely got the potential to do it.”
Coach Ball is entering his 8th season as head coach and has already built an impressive resume for Central’s swimming program.
The team’s success may not have the student body flooding the Suydam Natatorium for meets, but it has certainly made a big impact for the school in terms of recognition and recruiting. Eight athletes were added this year in an attempt to fill the void left by the graduation of former captain, Erin Crowley.
Lauren O’Kelly, Christine Smith, Lauren Shortell, Jennifer O’Leary, Hannah Packer, Taylor Friedmann, Katie Lang and Allison Rasile make up the freshman class that will help the Blue Devils achieve their goals, and Coach Ball is more than optimistic about their chances.
“They provide us with such talent and depth that we have the potential to be one of the strongest classes we’ve ever had,” he said, “so long as we work hard and stay healthy.”
Adding to that potential is two-time NEC Diver of the Year Kristen Rossi, who has been out the past two years with a back injury. She will rejoin her teammates this year in their quest for a three-peat, behind newly named captains senior Kandra Kane and junior Alyssa Carlucci.
Staying healthy is vital in a sport that spends the entire season preparing for one final competition. Although winning competitions along the way is important, Coach Ball explained why it isn’t the most important.
“Winning is great, but in each meet we focus primarily on the time trials and implementing the little things we work on each practice, to try and get better and faster for the championships in February, which matter most.” Ball said. “These girls spend 20 hours a week in the water preparing for them, and with practically no rest, they can get pretty beat up throughout the season.”
“Practically no rest” seems to be an understatement. The BU Invitational just before winter break is the most important measuring stick for the team to see where they stand among the other competition, and the team doesn’t get to rest before it or after it.
When the rest of the school enjoys a month break, the team spends winter break putting in their 20 hours, in addition to meets, from Dec. 28 to January 23. They get a brief 10-12 day break at the start of school, but it’s far from relaxing as they anticipate the biggest competition of the year and the defining moments of the season.
“That’s why both physical and mental toughness are so important in staying healthy throughout such a rigorous season because the smallest injury or illness could waste a whole year of work,” Coach Ball said.
“It’s tough because this is an endurance-based sport and you can only get out of it what you put into it.”
The team will hold their annual Alumni Pentathlon on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 11 a.m. in the Suydam Natatorium. Here, they can enjoy some friendly competition before starting down the familiar road of hard work, hoping to end up in the same spot as last year: the top.
