Swim team hopes to improve this season

By Cameron Day//

The Blazers swim team looks to improve after a combined 10-10 (men’s and women’s) 2021-2022 campaign.

The men’s swim team finished with a record of 4-6 while the women’s team earned a 6-4 record.

As well as several first-years, the swim team has six sophomores, one junior, four seniors and one graduate student competing this year, all with some college athlete experience under their belt.

“I think that the entire team does a great job holding each other accountable,” head coach Chris Gibeau said. “The upperclassmen know how the coaching staff likes things to run, so they especially do a great job bringing the less experienced athletes up to speed.”

Rather than the traditional captain model, Gibeau said he runs a leadership council to instill responsibility and accountability.

The fall season for the swim team began Oct. 15, so even first-year students now have some experience.

“All of our first years have made a great impact on the program…that impact could come in many ways, academics, leadership, practice habits or performance at meets,” Gibeau said. “As long as they are having a positive impact on the program and not a negative one in any aspect, the coaching staff will always be excited about having them on the team.”

College athletes are students too. Academics are an important part of athletic programs. “As far as expectations go, our first priority is for them to excel in the classroom,” Gibeau said.

Fuel to an athlete’s fire tends to come from the success of their previous season.

“Improvement in the offseason is typically based on that past season’s performance,” Gibeau said. “It lights a fire, whether they struggled in the past season and are determined to get better or they had a great season and are excited to continue that progression forward.”

Gibeau said that the coaching staff is always looking for ways to push and strengthen the team, whether that’s through practice, nutrition, weightlifting or team bonding.

Both the men’s and women’s swim teams will be back in action on Nov. 19 at the Diamond City Invitational.