It's Training Trip Time at WVU
December 13, 2018 11:38 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – When the fall semester wraps up for the West Virginia University men's and women's swimming and diving teams each year, the intensity picks up. That's because the end of the class schedule marks the beginning of the Mountaineers' annual training trip, where the teams go for some critical workouts around the holidays.
The impact of the trip often propels the program into a strong second half to the season, leading up to the Big 12 and NCAA Championships. WVU hopes that'll be the case again this time around.
Here's what you need to know about Training Trip 2018.
Background
Mountaineer coach Vic Riggs is set for his 11th training trip at WVU, which commences on Saturday, Dec. 15, and runs through Sunday, Dec. 23. Through the years, Riggs has taken the team to Cocoa Beach, Florida, Deerfield Beach, Florida, Tucson, Arizona and Fullerton, California. But for the last seven seasons, the Mountaineers have trained in Key Largo, Florida, while the diving team has traveled to Coral Springs, Florida.
Flocking to warmer weather is certainly common among swimming and diving programs in the northern part of the country. The Mountaineers use their annual training trip as a combination of celebration, team building and furious, effective workouts.
This year's trip should be no different.
Purpose
West Virginia has been training inside the WVU Natatorium since the season started in September. However, the facility's limitations make the training trip even more beneficial. Once finals week concludes, the Mountaineers make the trek to south Florida, where they can soak up the sun and get to work on a productive holiday season.
"The purpose is to reward the team for a good fall semester," Riggs said. "We'll be able to function and train like a team, without any distractions. We can really focus in on the workouts."
With the team's competition schedule set to resume in January, it's important to make the most of the weeklong stay in the Sunshine State.
"Training trip is always exciting for the team and me," diving coach Michael Grapner said. "The divers know it's hard work, but the benefits are worth it. We really focus on team building and positive attitudes to help everyone achieve their goals. We are just praying for nice weather, so we can make the most of our training."
Facilities
Jacobs Aquatic Center will again serve as home to the Mountaineer swimming team during it's time in Key Largo. Back on the mainland, WVU divers will work out at Coral Springs Aquatic Complex in Coral Springs, near Fort Lauderdale. Both venues are outdoors, an obvious – but refreshing – change from what WVU is used to training and competing in over the course of the season.
Swimmers can train at Jacob Aquatic Center's three-pool setup, featuring an eight-lane, 25-meter pool for workouts. Each year, the JAC hosts the Orange Bowl Swim Classic, as part of the annual Orange Bowl festivities in the area. WVU also will visit Founders Park in nearby Islamorada for 50-meter workouts throughout the week.
"The opportunity to train in short-course meters and long-course meters isn't something we have here, so we can get some really good practices in," Riggs said. "We can train in specialized groups with specialized workouts, and we won't be limited in any sort of tight confines."
In Coral Springs, divers will get a chance to train at a top-notch facility. Coral Springs Aquatic Complex has 1- and 3-meter boards available, but it's the pool's diving platform that serves as the team's primary resource. Training trip serves as a valuable opportunity for WVU divers to practice their dive lists on platform before February's Big 12 Championship in Austin, Texas.
Out of the Pool
Training trip isn't all work. In fact, some of the team's activities away from practices are the ones that help bring them closest. Along with enjoying the tropical setting, the Mountaineers are excited visit an alligator farm, experience wildlife excursions and take a ride on air boats. The team also will gather together to have special men's and women's team dinners to celebrate the first half of the campaign.
Additionally, WVU plans on continuing a longstanding tradition of training trip. At the end of each day, one student-athlete who provides the best effort, attitude and team mentality will be awarded the Mountaineer of the Day.
Impact
The end result of next week's trip is to return to Morgantown in good form heading into the spring semester. And based on those who've seen the kind of results a hard week of workouts can provide, they're ready to once again take the necessary steps towards even more improvement.
"We can get a lot of stuff done in a short amount of time, and it really helps us get to the next level of competition," senior Madelyn Woods said. "It's also a huge bonding time for the team; we rely on each other for support and encouragement to get through a long, but rewarding, week."
Whether it's one of the Mountaineers' 12 seniors who are bracing for their final training trip, or a freshman getting ready for his/her first, the key is to take the week in stride. After all, the method to the madness revolves around development at a key time of the season.
"It plays a huge role in the second half of the season," senior Drew Damich said. "It's really our last chance to get tough, quality training in before we start fine-tuning for Big 12s. It's also easier to be focused on training since there are no distractions in terms of schoolwork. This is the time of the season where we improve the most."
The impact of the trip often propels the program into a strong second half to the season, leading up to the Big 12 and NCAA Championships. WVU hopes that'll be the case again this time around.
Here's what you need to know about Training Trip 2018.
Background
Mountaineer coach Vic Riggs is set for his 11th training trip at WVU, which commences on Saturday, Dec. 15, and runs through Sunday, Dec. 23. Through the years, Riggs has taken the team to Cocoa Beach, Florida, Deerfield Beach, Florida, Tucson, Arizona and Fullerton, California. But for the last seven seasons, the Mountaineers have trained in Key Largo, Florida, while the diving team has traveled to Coral Springs, Florida.
Flocking to warmer weather is certainly common among swimming and diving programs in the northern part of the country. The Mountaineers use their annual training trip as a combination of celebration, team building and furious, effective workouts.
This year's trip should be no different.
Purpose
West Virginia has been training inside the WVU Natatorium since the season started in September. However, the facility's limitations make the training trip even more beneficial. Once finals week concludes, the Mountaineers make the trek to south Florida, where they can soak up the sun and get to work on a productive holiday season.
"The purpose is to reward the team for a good fall semester," Riggs said. "We'll be able to function and train like a team, without any distractions. We can really focus in on the workouts."
With the team's competition schedule set to resume in January, it's important to make the most of the weeklong stay in the Sunshine State.
"Training trip is always exciting for the team and me," diving coach Michael Grapner said. "The divers know it's hard work, but the benefits are worth it. We really focus on team building and positive attitudes to help everyone achieve their goals. We are just praying for nice weather, so we can make the most of our training."
Facilities
Jacobs Aquatic Center will again serve as home to the Mountaineer swimming team during it's time in Key Largo. Back on the mainland, WVU divers will work out at Coral Springs Aquatic Complex in Coral Springs, near Fort Lauderdale. Both venues are outdoors, an obvious – but refreshing – change from what WVU is used to training and competing in over the course of the season.
Swimmers can train at Jacob Aquatic Center's three-pool setup, featuring an eight-lane, 25-meter pool for workouts. Each year, the JAC hosts the Orange Bowl Swim Classic, as part of the annual Orange Bowl festivities in the area. WVU also will visit Founders Park in nearby Islamorada for 50-meter workouts throughout the week.
"The opportunity to train in short-course meters and long-course meters isn't something we have here, so we can get some really good practices in," Riggs said. "We can train in specialized groups with specialized workouts, and we won't be limited in any sort of tight confines."
In Coral Springs, divers will get a chance to train at a top-notch facility. Coral Springs Aquatic Complex has 1- and 3-meter boards available, but it's the pool's diving platform that serves as the team's primary resource. Training trip serves as a valuable opportunity for WVU divers to practice their dive lists on platform before February's Big 12 Championship in Austin, Texas.
Out of the Pool
Training trip isn't all work. In fact, some of the team's activities away from practices are the ones that help bring them closest. Along with enjoying the tropical setting, the Mountaineers are excited visit an alligator farm, experience wildlife excursions and take a ride on air boats. The team also will gather together to have special men's and women's team dinners to celebrate the first half of the campaign.
Additionally, WVU plans on continuing a longstanding tradition of training trip. At the end of each day, one student-athlete who provides the best effort, attitude and team mentality will be awarded the Mountaineer of the Day.
Impact
The end result of next week's trip is to return to Morgantown in good form heading into the spring semester. And based on those who've seen the kind of results a hard week of workouts can provide, they're ready to once again take the necessary steps towards even more improvement.
"We can get a lot of stuff done in a short amount of time, and it really helps us get to the next level of competition," senior Madelyn Woods said. "It's also a huge bonding time for the team; we rely on each other for support and encouragement to get through a long, but rewarding, week."
Whether it's one of the Mountaineers' 12 seniors who are bracing for their final training trip, or a freshman getting ready for his/her first, the key is to take the week in stride. After all, the method to the madness revolves around development at a key time of the season.
"It plays a huge role in the second half of the season," senior Drew Damich said. "It's really our last chance to get tough, quality training in before we start fine-tuning for Big 12s. It's also easier to be focused on training since there are no distractions in terms of schoolwork. This is the time of the season where we improve the most."
Players Mentioned
Free/Fly/IM
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Diving
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