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Senior Sheila Dugan swims the 100-yard breaststroke during the meet against Ball State on Oct. 11 in the Padovan Pool in Lantz Arena. The men's and women's swimming teams will have a meet this Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Padovan Pool. (File photo / The Daily Eastern News)

Swimming: Senior stoked about intense practice

Florida trip allows for different exercises

By: Kevin Murphy / Sports Editor

Posted: 1/12/09

Senior Elliot McGill felt like the Eastern men's and women's swimming teams are improving.

The Eastern men's swimmer said for the first time this season, the whole team worked hard, and there is a feeling that the Panthers are gaining momentum.

McGill was talking about an intense practice during the team's annual trip to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., for the College Swim Forum. The forum is run through the College Swim Coaches Association of America and is held at the Ft. Lauderdale Aquatic Complex, which is also home to the international swimming hall of fame.

"As a team, we have never had that really good kind of practice where we've done that well," he said.

The Eastern men's and women's swimming teams competed in CSCAA Bob Mowerson Sprint Meet on Tuesday afternoon, which came in the middle of their training.

The Eastern men's swimming team finished fourth out of five teams, while the women finished fifth of five teams. Both Illinois-Chicago teams won the sprint meet.

Eastern freshman Alex Green won the 50-meter freestyle.

But Eastern head coach Matt Bos was not concerned about the team scores.

"It was a little bit up and down for everybody," Bos said. "I don't think there's one individual on either side that stood out. And that's how good it was."

McGill said the Panthers did not want their season or career bests because that would mean they are peaking too soon.

He said that the Panthers usually begin to peak around the time of the Summit League meet.

McGill said the break was one of the best Florida trips the Panthers have taken.

"The team had a great focus during all of the practices," McGill said.

He said the weather and the team's performance made this one of the best trips.

The Panthers also did a variety of training exercises including training in a longer pool, a 50-meter pool in Florida.

"It allowed us to do different kinds of sets," McGill said.

Both squads return to action at 2 p.m. Saturday at Padovan Pool to face Indiana-Purdue-Indianapolis.

CSCAA Bob Mowerson sprint meet results

Women's Team Scores
1. Illinois-Chicago - 241
2. Centenary - 152
3. New Orleans - 134
4. Binghamton - 131.5
5. Eastern - 123.5

Men's Team Scores
1. Illinois-Chicago - 252
2. New Orleans - 175
3. Centenary - 163
4. Eastern - 96
5. Binghamton - 89

Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or at kjmurphy@eiu.edu.