By Rachel Grula
With a current record of 1-2, The Golden Bear swim team strives to improve in their standings in the upcoming meets this month. In the first home match of the season, Long Island University (LIU) Post will challenge the girls with a roster boasting a few national champions and the title of being a Top 10 program in Division II.
Coach Tim Flannery, during an interview with Kutztown University Radio, commented that teams like LIU Post are “the types of teams the girls need to face…to see where they stand.” Flannery knows it will be tough, but also knows that his team is hungry for the win.
“They’re working so hard,” he said. “They have this desire—every single year they get better.”
The desire to win and KU’s talent in the pool will be two of the main components in the quest for a PSAC title. With a three week hiatus until their next meet, there might be some question as to whether the girls are cutting themselves a break.
Junior Caitlin Davies displaces that thought saying, “The team will keep working hard at practices and staying focused to prepare for the upcoming meet. It’s always exciting getting ready to compete again and that keeps us motivated.”
November is a lively month for the KU swimmers. Besides their first home match, the Golden Bear Invite will be held at the Keystone Pool on November 15 and 16. This invite will allow KU some more competition before contending in the Franklin and Marshall invite on November 22-24 in Lancaster, PA.
“We want to peak at Franklin and Marshall,” Coach Flannery explained. “It will give us the best chance to qualify as many people as possible at the PSAC championships.”
The team’s outlook for the upcoming meets is very positive.
“We have a close-knit team this year,” Senior Elizabeth Metz says. “We are all constantly encouraging each other. Not only are the girls trying to better themselves in the pool, but we are all trying to better the team itself.”
“If I can play a part in helping someone else on the team reach their goals, then that is just as good as reaching my own individual goals,” Davies adds in, showing that the KU swimmers don’t view themselves as individuals in their sport.
Metz is on the same wavelength. “I’m extremely happy with our team this year, and I can’t wait to see where this season takes us.”
The Golden Bears return to the pool in their first home match on Saturday, November 9, at 1pm.
