Before the Big Dance: Appalachian Swimming Conference

By Jessie Drogemuller, Swimming World College Intern

In just five weeks, the Appalachian Swimming Conference Championship takes place in Christiansburg, Virginia. Any collegiate swimmer knows exactly what that means. The last couple weeks of December and the first couple weeks of January are consecutive weeks of every other sport’s equivalent of “hell week.” Winter training consists of endless hours in the pool, weightlifting sessions that make even standing difficult, and exotic and warm locations to break up the monotony of training in the school’s facilities.

As much as we, the swimmers, dread waking up before the sun to make our way to a cold pool and spend the next couple hours constantly moving and then repeat that later on during the day, we are aware that this training could make or break our season. So, we get out of bed (slowly, and in a great amount of pain) and we get ourselves to the water, because where would we be without commitment? Hard work, a good diet and insane sleep habits all lead up to those wonderful few weeks that we all love- taper!

Five weeks. In five weeks, the swimmers, coaches, and supporters from all 15 teams will be at the Christiansburg Aquatic Center once again hoping that all of the training will pay off. This three-day meet means something different for each team.

For some swimmers it is a stepping stone to nationals. For others it is their last chance to make it. And some swimmers will be attending conference for the first time.

Nathan Lethbridge is a freshman at Union College. After only swimming competitively for the last four years, he is eager to see the results of his first year of collegiate training. His focus for this meet, as with all others, is to “race as if a shark is chasing you.”

Some may be attending for the last time.

Two very different swimmers will be living this life in less than a month. Seniors, Stephanie Canady from Emmanuel College and Michelle Billeaud from Brenau University are both on their way to their last conference meet, but their swimming backgrounds are unique. Billeaud has been a member of the Brenau swim team since her freshman year, while Canady joined the team in 2013. Each has a separate mindset going into the last month.

“As my last conference meet approaches, I find myself trying to enjoy the little things each day. From experiences in practice, to moments with teammates” Billeaud said. “I would never have made it this far without the motivation and encouragement I have received from my team, family and friends. I am honored to be apart of this team and to have them beside me as I go into my last conference meet! Last one, fast one!”

Canady looks forward to the meet, but is also sad that it will bring her swimming career to a close. She knows she will greatly miss the family atmosphere and having her coach there to help push her and help with all aspects of her life.

There are many meanings behind each swimmer’s motivation. We all want to see not only ourselves do well, but also our teammates.

As the end of our season gets closer, there will be several meets and several swimmers counting down the days (until they can shave down). Currently, the countdown resides at 29. Each day we get closer to the end of one season and the beginning of another.

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