By Anthony Gulizia, News Correspondent

While getting ready for the winter break, most students packed their bags with winter coats while the swimming & diving team packed theirs with sunscreen and swimsuits. The squad had the pleasure of visiting Ponce, Puerto Rico for its annual winter training camp. The week-long trip is designed to not only train the swimmers, but also serve as a bonding experience for the team.
The team entered Puerto Rico with the goal of successfully completing an intense training trip in a new environment. Training at an outdoor facility, the squad endured double-sessions, while having every fifth practice off, and according to head coach Roy Coates, the trip was a success.
Coates said his main goal for the swimmers was to strengthen their kicking, and develop power within every stroke. He said he was very satisfied with the week’s results, as he felt the team met all of their training goals. More importantly, the trip helped prepare the squad for the second half of their season.
‘During the fall, we focused on establishing a base for everybody,’ Coates said. ‘This trip really finalized the swimmers aerobic shape, they are in the best shape they have been all season. Now, we can focus on speed and power, and not spend as much time on conditioning.’
The squad also participated in an intra-squad triathlon, consisting of swimming, running and kayaking events, as well as competing in a relay against Seton Hall. For the freshmen, the trip was a new experience.
‘I didn’t know what to really expect going into the trip,’ said freshman swimmer Nicole Colucci. ‘It was very difficult, but it felt good to be training and improving, and was a good experience. We learned a lot about each other on a much more personal level, and everybody stuck together and supported each other throughout the hard practices.’
Sophomore diver Tia Murkison said the trip was difficult and a bonding experience for the team members.
‘The trip was very hard, but that’s the purpose of the trip,’ she said. ‘We got worked to our breaking points, and then we built back up. With two-a-days, it was hard for the divers and swimmers to be on the same page as since we have such different workouts, but the coaches made a good effort to bring us all together.’
Murkison also added how great the team dinner in Ponce was, and how it served as the staple of the great bonding that was taking place.
‘Everybody was just having a good time, and taking pictures with one another,’ Murkison said. ‘Nobody ever felt left out,’ she said.
‘I feel like if we could make it through Puerto Rico, we could do anything throughout our next five meets,’ said freshman swimmer Alison Blom.
The team will compete against New Hampshire and Boston University Monday in Durham, N.H.