By John Hagerty, deputy sports editor
Following a draining meet at Frank Elm Invitational and Thanksgiving break, the Northeastern University swimming and diving team was forced right back into action in a dual meet at the University of New Hampshire Saturday.
“It’s hard coming off of [Thanksgiving] break, and with the exams and all the studying it’s hard to not be too nervous,” said fourth-year captain Sara Touchette-McGowan.
The team could have easily overlooked their meet against the University of New Hampshire. With final exams and a busy training schedule, the team was tired and preoccupied.
Overcoming their fatigue and academic distractions, the Huskies stayed focused and were able to obtain a 160.5-139.5 win against UNH.
“We went back from Rutgers and had the hardest week of training all year,” head coach Roy Coates said. “We were really broken down and faced a really good team at home. It was great competition and a really good meet.”
With the victory, the Huskies moved their record to 3-1 on the season. Third-year Carly Schnabel contributed 40 points, finishing first and second in 200 free and 500 free, respectively. Second-year Megan Clark also continued build on her strong season, pitching in 35.5 points.
The divers also had a particularly strong meet, sweeping both the one meter and the three meter diving events. Fourth-year Jacquelyn Gover was awarded CAA diver of the week after posting meet-high scores of 256.95 in one meter and 238.27 in three meter.
After the Rutgers meet, in which the team broke numerous team and personal records, their focus is now on improving the intricacies of their swims.
“We’re looking for them to swim their races correctly, were looking for strategy, technique, and effort,” Coates said. “The times aren’t nearly as important because they probably won’t duplicate the times from Rutgers. We do want to see progression from the dual meets in October and November.”
As they head toward winter break, the Huskies are looking forward to their annual training trip. This year, the team will head to Dublin, Ireland. While the focus of the trip is the team’s training, the Huskies are eager to experience a new country.
“We’re really excited,” Touchette-McGowan said. “Going abroad is new for us and it’s something that’s going to fun for a lot of people who have never left the United States before. Discovering a new culture, new people, new place is going to be really interesting.”
In terms of the programming for the trip, the team will be based downtown.
“We’re going to stay in downtown Dublin, they’re going to get an opportunity to explore,” Coates said. “On our day off, we’re going to take a ride up to Belfast and tour Belfast and the Titanic museum.”
Over winter break, the Huskies are hoping for both cultural enrichment and the opportunity to train and get better as they continue working toward the CAA championships meet in February.
