There Are No Heroes in September

Mar 21, 2015; Greensboro, NC, USA; Missy Franklin and the California Golden Bears celebrate after winning the NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving-Championships at Greensboro Aquatic Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Pike-USA TODAY Sports
Photo Courtesy: Evan Pike

By Olivia Wile, Swimming World Intern.

There is nothing quite like a new something, especially a new swim season.

Though it may seem like the time to push heavy strength and endurance training to build a strong base, the beginning of the swim season is the time to focus on the little things, both mentally and physically. Besides, when is the last time a team won a conference championship in September?

Championship Coaches Agree: You Have to Start Slow

2018 GMAC champs-Univ of Findlay

Photo Courtesy: Andrew Makepeace

According to head coach of the University of Findlay Andrew Makepeace, who led his team to a Great Midwest Athletic Conference Championship title last season, the answer is never.

“There is no sense of urgency to be at our best in September and October when the fruits of our labor aren’t fully rewarded until February and March,” said Makepeace. “This past month has been more focused on building foundation through dry-land based activities and lifting that focuses on muscle groups specific for swimmers and divers. There are no heroes in September.”

The 2018 G-MAC coach of the year says his Division II team focuses on versatile training in the early weeks of the season.

“We incorporate medicine ball training, stretch cords and slam balls among others to reduce overuse while keeping activities challenging yet fun,” explained Makepeace. “In the water, we have been focusing on technique, all the while increasing intensity before we splinter off into specified training groups the last week of September.”

Along with building a well-rounded base in the pool, Makepeace says another key component to the long-term success of his team is mental health.

“Mental health is the key to everything; you cannot have a strong physical foundation without an even stronger mental foundation,” said Makepeace. “We do activities that emphasize mental skill development throughout the year and debrief so each person can understand the significance and inherent benefit of why mental training is important.”

From DII to DIII

Photo Courtesy: Hayley Good

Head Coach of Denison University Gregg Parini says that his Division III program is focusing on easing into a strong, healthy season both in and out of the water as well.

“The team is just wrapping up three weeks of voluntary preseason training which focused on getting introduced to our strength and power development program and improving overall aerobic conditioning,” said Parini. “Sound body and sound mind are fundamental to learning in the classroom and strong performances in the pool.”

Even the NCAA Division I women at the University of Toledo are being coached to focus on all aspects of being student athletes.

“They have to take care of themselves in all aspects,” said head coach Jonas Persson. “We talk a lot about nutrition, sleep, stress and balancing school and swimming. Their health – mentally and physically – needs to be there in order for us to get as much out of our training as possible.”

Over the last month, Persson says his athletes have been working on setting goals, team bonding and technique.

“The first couple of weeks, we put a lot of emphasis on doing exercises the right way and swimming with good technique,” said Persson. “It allows us to ease into training, both mentally and physically.”

jonas-perrson-rachel-hester-university-of-toledo

Photo Courtesy: University of Toledo

There are no Heroes in September

Across divisions, coaches are helping their student athletes build strong bases in and out of the pool. At the beginning of a nearly eight-month season, Makepeace, Parini and Persson stress the importance of building a solid strength, endurance and mental base.

“Every day is an opportunity to build the [train] tracks to attain success and get to the desired train station. You have to build over ravines, through mountains and everything else along the way. But without daily progress, that destination is unattainable,” concluded Makepeace.

All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.

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