It’s in between sessions on Sunday afternoon. Going into the morning session was different than in recent years. We weren’t “chasing” someone on the men’s side. We had a lead. The last day is what we call “Smart & Heart” day. We have 200’s of all the strokes, the Mile, and the 100 free. You absolutely have to swim smart in the front half of your races. When you’re the team that’s chasing, the swimmers have a tendency to “press” a bit on the front half of the race. This morning, the boys did a great job of swimming smart, and again placed VERY well going into the evening session. The morning is for “setting the table”. The evening is for stepping up and taking advantage of the table you set and FEAST!! The guys have given themselves a chance to win the first men’s championship in 11 years. It has been the focus of this group of guys for a year and a half. The saying and hashtag #hangabanner started last year during our training trip in Florida. It has been the focus of the guys since that time to be able to hang a championship banner in the Vic Gustafson pool. To a person, everyone worked hard in the off-season to make themselves a different swimmer. To their credit, they did just that. They have given themselves a shot at winning the MIAC Championship tonight.
The women also had another amazing morning!! It is clear we are dropping more time than anyone. If everything holds tonight, the women will go into the last event behind the amazing St. Catherine’s down 1 point for second place!! I told the women at the team meeting this morning that if they were the only team I was coaching this weekend, I couldn’t be prouder of everyone’s performances. They have totally swum as a team. NO ONE is allowing themselves to get “down” if a swim didn’t go exactly how they wanted. They know what they are a part of is bigger than just them. In an individual sport like swimming, it takes total buy-in from everyone to refuse to have their swims be about them; but rather about the whole team.
Tonight will be a special night, regardless of the outcome. We will celebrate one last time this group of athletes gets to compete together. I told them how special it is to be a part of this type of team. The bond they have doesn’t just happen. I’m excited to have one last session with these amazing student/athletes. Know that this group has represented the Gustavus Swimming & Diving program with pride and passion. Alumni, you would be proud of the chapter this group is writing in the history of Gustavus Swimming & Diving.
Jon Carlson