by Matt Dank
Staff Writer
How is it possible for a team to make the transition from warm, sandy beaches to the arctic tundra that is Grinnell? Well, for one thing, swimming is an indoor event.
But after some quality training outdoors, with only one day of cold, the swim team cut a swath from the South to the Midwest with swimming domination. The last three meets (the Sewanee Meet, Grinnell Invite, and Loras Duel Meet) the Pioneers have proved that they are peaking at just the right time for conference.
The first meet on Grinnell’s return home tour was the Sewanee Meet in Tennessee.
“It was very exciting,” said Eric Blevins ’04. “After 13 long hours on the bus we stopped in Tennessee for a meet against a very good team. Despite the effects the bus ride had on the team, we were edged by just one point, the closest we’ve ever come to winning the meet.”
This meet very well may have been an omen of things to come in Grinnell’s upcoming meets, starting with the Grinnell Invite, which took place on the weekend of Jan. 18-19. Both men’s and women’s blew away the competition with tremendous victories, with both placing first out of 11 teams. This is a good sign for the defending Midwest Conference Champions (both men and women).
“Four out of the five relays, for both men and women, won their respective races,” stated Erik Larson ’06. “Both 800 meter relays did not win, but still had strong showings.”
One of the more impressive victories occurred in the women’s 100 butterfly. Joanne Perino ’06 placed first, Emma Samuels ’04 placed second and Leah Blasiak ‘03 got third. Blasiak and Samuels tied in the 50 freestyle, as well.
Their latest meet, at Loras, allowed for a good time with swimmers being able to compete in events they normally don’t swim in.
“It is nice to be able to get a time for an event you usually don’t get to swim,” said Blasiak.
But the team, despite the seemingly relaxed conditions, showed true resilience in winning the meet despite the absence of their coach, Erin Hurley. According to a number of team members, assistant coach Tim Pulkrabeck stepped in nicely and was able to lead the men’s and women’s teams to victory.
On an individual note, one member was able to achieve the one elusive goal of his young diving career. Blevins was able to qualify for Nationals at the meet on Saturday, at Loras.
“Personally, I’ve been improving all season and have yet to put together the ‘perfect meet’,” Blevins had said earlier. “I have come really close though.”
Fittingly, a week after uttering those words, he qualified for nationals in what many would consider one of his best performance.
The swim teams travel to Augustana this weekend to further prep for conference, which will be at home the weekend of February 14.
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