While winter break offers a chance for rest and relaxation for many students, the women’s swimming and diving team has been hard at work to stay in shape for the rest of the season. With the season being lengthy, starting in the fall and continuing throughout early spring, it’s important for the team to train just as hard as they do during the season as they do in the offseason.
Swimming and diving is a team sport in essence, but there are several individual components that allow student-athletes to train on their own.
“Unlike other sports, swimmers are generally able to practice alone or with a club team,” UW-Whitewater swimming and diving head coach Elise Knoche said. “So they’re able to practice at home and get a longer time at home.”
Once they return on campus, the swimmers start peak training, meaning that training starts to intensify to prepare the team for the WIAC Championship. This phase of training focuses on continuing to motivate the players mentally and physically.
“It’s so important that we stay in shape during this time so we’re prepared for the conference competition in February,” senior swimmer Izzy Doczy said.
As well as maintaining swimming and aerobic training, the team is also expected to continue lifting and perform different workouts throughout the break. One of the biggest challenges during such a long break and such a lengthy season is continuing to stay motivated.
“This time can be challenging because staying motivated really comes down to holding yourself accountable,” Doczy said. “It’s important to stay in shape though since we’re so close to the end of the season.”
To further prepare for the second half of the season, the Warhawks went to Florida during winter break to get intense training done before classes resume. They train at a facility that has ten lanes which allows the entire team to train at the same time.
“While we are in Florida we increase the amount of training we do by doing two practices per day for everyone,” Knoche said.
The Florida trip served as a physical and mental reset for the team. Once they return to campus, they focus on upcoming competitions.
The women’s swim team is back in action Jan. 31 at UW-Eau Claire. As conference competitions approach, the Warhawks will continue to transfer the training they did during break into the meets.
