While most Dartmouth sophomores are spending their summer alternating between classes, trips to the river and hanging out on the green, the members of the men's swim team are waking up early and training to improve upon last year's record (2-10, 0-8 EISL).
They are readying themselves for a difficult and strenuous winter season where daily practices will be even more demanding and exhausting than they have been in the past. Summer practices have typically carried a more laid-back tone as the swimmers get themselves back into shape after off-terms, LSAs and FSPs.
Coming off of a season in which the team finished with only two non-conference wins against the University of Maine and Boston University, the swimmers understand the need for intensive training this season.
"It never ends," Porter Diehl '09 said.
According to the team, the losses to Colgate and Boston College put a damper on the season. Against Colgate, a one-point loss was one of the most disappointing moments of the winter season.
The team practices five days a week, including practices at 6:30 a.m. on Fridays. All in all, the team practices over ten hours each week over the summer. It is evident that members of the team have relatively little time for things other than class or swimming.
"I am excited to be preparing for next winter's vigorous season," Diehl said. "I understand the need for this training. I mean coming off a season in which we could have done much better, I want to be in the pool getting ready."
Sometimes the long hours catch up to the swimmers.
"The other day, I could hardly walk to class because my legs were so sore. But it feels good to be getting in shape. I'm excited about how things are going and the intensity of our team," Diehl said.
While many other sports teams take the summer off, even the best of the Dartmouth swimmers continue training year round.
This work, however, has not been entirely without rewards. Individually, freestyle swimmer Kevin Ellis '09 was named ECAC swimmer of the week in February by breaking school records in the 1,000-meter freestyle. While this record was set in February, Ellis is still training hard this summer.
The training does not slow down after the summer session. The team regains the rest of its upperclassmen as well as a strong group of new freshman members.
Dartmouth provides a unique opportunity for summer training, as all sophomores must be in residence this term.
Other programs require their athletes to complete individual training regimens either on their own or with a local club team. Some larger programs even have summer club teams associated with them. However, no school provides an opportunity quite like Dartmouth where members of the team are taking classes and swimming in their home pool.
"It's good that we get to train with our coaches this summer. Hopefully we can get a leg up on the competition through our practicing," Diehl said. "Sometimes when you are in the middle of a really tough day, you wish that you could be just hanging out with friends at home like everyone else."
The summer training is not the only time that the swimmers have experienced unique training opportunities. Every winter break, the team travels to a warmer location to train away from Dartmouth.
Past trips have toured the waters of Mexico, Hawaii and the West Indies.
"It definitely helps to get away from campus in the winter," Diehl said. "With no distractions, we can focus on our swimming and make improvements that we otherwise couldn't make."
The distractions, however, will be piled high this summer. While the swimmers' classmates head to the river to tan on the docks, the varsity squad will be swimming laps indoors in the Karl Michael Pool.
The Dartmouth swim and dive program has struggled of late, with a 4-83 Ivy League record over the past 10 years.
Improvements are developing rapidly, and the team's current talent could push the team towards a winning season.
The rewards of hard work are easy for Diehl to see.
"Next year, when we are hopefully winning, I'll look back on our summer training as a really good experience," he said.
Furthermore, the squad will not be hit very hard by graduation.
Andrew Berry '08 returns for his senior season after a junior year in which he out-dove and under-splashed the competition in nearly every meet.
With Ellis having broken three records last season, and younger swimmers stepping up to provide depth, Diehl optimistically looks towards next season and uses this as motivation to get through difficult summer training sessions.
"When you know that your hard work is going to pay off, it makes it that much easier," he said. "Plus it's nice to be training alongside your friends and teammates."
