The Seton Hall men's and women's swimming and diving teams both claimed victory over winter break in Puerto Rico.
According to head coach Ron Farina, the teams trained in double practices every day, with practices from 8-10 a.m., followed by a 30 minute lift and another practice from 4-6 p.m.
The trip also allowed the Pirates to square off against Georgetown University. The meet included a 100-meter race in each individual stroke as well as 400-meter medley and freestyle relays.
Junior Jane Ehret took home the 100-meter butterfly for the women while freshman Tim Bosse won in the 100-meter freestyle for the men. In the women's 400-meter medley relay, the team of freshman Cora Meehan, junior Kerrie Kolackovsky, junior Kelly Markwell and senior Alie Zelenky took victory.
"It gives us an opportunity to train some long course, which is a little bit more difficult, I believe, than short course," Farina said. "It gives us an opportunity to get some doubles (practices) in every day."
A key point Coach Farina made about this yearly trip to Puerto Rico, was that "it allows for some team bonding for the stretch run coming up."
"My trip to Puerto Rico was a really fun time." Bosse said. "It was great to do everything as a whole team, from taking the bus together to the airport, everyone being on the same flight, to just being able to get away to some nice weather and getting some good training in."
Bosse's thoughts of the trip were echoed throughout the team.
"I think the trip to Puerto Rico went very well," freshman breaststroke and individual medley swimmer, Joey Giovine said.
Freshman breaststroke swimmer, Megan Mallon said, "My favorite part of the trip was the training and getting away to a nice area with nice weather."
This trip marked the ending of the first stage of the season for the Pirates. However, it also opened the third stage of the season, according to Farina.
"The bulk of our schedule is very tough meets with a lot of really good competition." Farina said.
The Pirates will return to the pool on Saturday, Jan. 26th when they host Marist in the final home meet of the season. This meet will also act as Senior Day for eight members of the team. The following day, the Pirates will travel to the University of Connecticut for their last head-to-head matchup of the season.
The regular season will close with a trip to the Bucknell University Invitational on Feb. 2 and a multi-team meet hosted by Rutgers on Feb. 8-9. The men will compete against Georgetown and Villanova, while the women will participate in a quad-meet.
David Heim can be reached at david.heim@student.shu.edu.
