WVU Eyeing Fun, Productive Training Trips
December 13, 2017 02:45 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – With the fall semester coming to a close at WVU, it's time for many students to relax and re-energize before classes get going again in January.
For the WVU swimming and diving team, however, the time off creates a perfect opportunity to focus on improving in the pool. That's why the Mountaineers will again embark on a long-standing tradition inside the program and will make the trip to the Sunshine State for training.
The WVU swimmers are set to participate in their annual training trip at the Jacobs Aquatic Center in Key Largo, Florida, while the Mountaineer divers are heading to Coral Springs Aquatic Complex in Coral Springs, Florida. Both trips are scheduled for Dec. 14-22.
"Our training trip is an opportunity to focus on training with no distractions," WVU coach Vic Riggs said. "Key Largo has been a great host and being able to go right after finals is a nice reward for the team. It really is the start of the second half of our season."
Stationed in the Florida Keys, WVU swimmers will get a chance to soak up the enviable surroundings before getting down to business, making the trip one team members look forward to all year. But this excursion has a little more meaning than just enjoying the warm weather and having access to impressive facilities.
This time of year also provides the Mountaineers the opportunity to strengthen their team chemistry and reflect on what the start of the season has presented. West Virginia has already combined to break four WVU Natatorium swimming records this season, and it produced 16 NCAA 'B' Cut times at the Ohio State Invitational last month alone.
All that has led to the Mountaineers feeling like they're in a good place as the calendar flips to the new year. The group's trip to Florida will allow it to put everything else aside for a while and focus on the pool. That'll be key for WVU to continue to move forward as the season progresses.
Mountaineer divers, who will train on the mainland near the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area, have experienced similar success this season. The team has already seen the men's 3-meter school record fall and enjoyed immediate success on platform at the Frank Elm Invitational back in November.
The key for the divers, WVU diving coach Michael Grapner says, is to really dial in on improving individual dives, while also preparing for what will be a busy January.
"This is always an exciting time for the divers," Grapner said. "They have been working hard this season, and with finals finishing, it's time to really focus hard on diving. This year's training trip is essential for the team to focus on tower and prepare for the second semester. We have a meet-heavy second semester, kicking things off right away with Pitt. Our time in Florida will help us solidify our competition lists and apply the basics so we are confident and consistent."
Following the training trip, the Mountaineers will begin preparations for their next meet against Pitt in the Backyard Brawl on Jan. 6 at the WVU Natatorium. Before that, though, WVU is eyeing a productive, fun-filled week in Florida.
With the holidays right around the corner, the Mountaineers are hopeful they can make strides inside the pool and out to make the final stretch of the 2017-18 campaign a good one.
For the WVU swimming and diving team, however, the time off creates a perfect opportunity to focus on improving in the pool. That's why the Mountaineers will again embark on a long-standing tradition inside the program and will make the trip to the Sunshine State for training.
The WVU swimmers are set to participate in their annual training trip at the Jacobs Aquatic Center in Key Largo, Florida, while the Mountaineer divers are heading to Coral Springs Aquatic Complex in Coral Springs, Florida. Both trips are scheduled for Dec. 14-22.
"Our training trip is an opportunity to focus on training with no distractions," WVU coach Vic Riggs said. "Key Largo has been a great host and being able to go right after finals is a nice reward for the team. It really is the start of the second half of our season."
Stationed in the Florida Keys, WVU swimmers will get a chance to soak up the enviable surroundings before getting down to business, making the trip one team members look forward to all year. But this excursion has a little more meaning than just enjoying the warm weather and having access to impressive facilities.
This time of year also provides the Mountaineers the opportunity to strengthen their team chemistry and reflect on what the start of the season has presented. West Virginia has already combined to break four WVU Natatorium swimming records this season, and it produced 16 NCAA 'B' Cut times at the Ohio State Invitational last month alone.
All that has led to the Mountaineers feeling like they're in a good place as the calendar flips to the new year. The group's trip to Florida will allow it to put everything else aside for a while and focus on the pool. That'll be key for WVU to continue to move forward as the season progresses.
Mountaineer divers, who will train on the mainland near the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area, have experienced similar success this season. The team has already seen the men's 3-meter school record fall and enjoyed immediate success on platform at the Frank Elm Invitational back in November.
The key for the divers, WVU diving coach Michael Grapner says, is to really dial in on improving individual dives, while also preparing for what will be a busy January.
"This is always an exciting time for the divers," Grapner said. "They have been working hard this season, and with finals finishing, it's time to really focus hard on diving. This year's training trip is essential for the team to focus on tower and prepare for the second semester. We have a meet-heavy second semester, kicking things off right away with Pitt. Our time in Florida will help us solidify our competition lists and apply the basics so we are confident and consistent."
Following the training trip, the Mountaineers will begin preparations for their next meet against Pitt in the Backyard Brawl on Jan. 6 at the WVU Natatorium. Before that, though, WVU is eyeing a productive, fun-filled week in Florida.
With the holidays right around the corner, the Mountaineers are hopeful they can make strides inside the pool and out to make the final stretch of the 2017-18 campaign a good one.
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