{"id":120379,"date":"2015-01-21T18:00:36","date_gmt":"2015-01-22T01:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=120379"},"modified":"2015-01-21T15:02:23","modified_gmt":"2015-01-21T22:02:23","slug":"american-athletic-swimming-teams-take-beach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/american-athletic-swimming-teams-take-beach\/","title":{"rendered":"American Athletic Swimming: Training Trips 2015 (Must-Watch Video!)"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Emma Gresser, Swimming World College Intern<\/em><\/p>\n

American Athletic swimming teams were scattered to various sandy-beached locations for their training trips. In between practice and recovering on the beach, AAC teams found time to give back.<\/p>\n

CINCINNATI<\/strong>– The Bearcats took over Naples, Florida from December 12-22. The trip consisted of a demanding training schedule, but the weather held out for a few trips to the beach. One beach day included a three miles of running then three miles of swimming. The team was up for the challenge and raced as pedestrians on the beach were entertained by the hard work. Other highlights included a visit to Grace Place. This nonprofit organization is a safe place where kids in grade school can come after school for educational and fun activities.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe the community service we did as a team helps us understand and appreciate the opportunities we are given as Division 1 athletes and in turn brings our team closer together,” sophomore Jackie Keire shared. “When a teammate falls, we are there to support them and help them get back on their feet, much like giving back to the community. This teaches us to apply what we learn as athletes to the real world.”<\/p>\n

The team split up into groups and worked on holiday crafts, read stories, and interacted with the kids.<\/p>\n

To conclude the training camp, Cincinnati took on Georgia Tech at the YMCA Norris pool. Both teams trained at the venue during the week and ended with a duel in the pool. The Yellow Jackets pulled off a win over the Bearcats on both the men’s and women\u2019s sides.<\/p>\n

CONNECTICUT<\/strong>– The Huskies spent two weeks in the Puerto Rico sun. One highlight of the camp is the Copa Coqui swim meet in San Juan at the Encantada Facilities Sports Center. This meet includes both colleges and local swim clubs. It brings local entertainment to the athletes. UConn pulled off the top combined score of 696 points. To celebrate the win, UConn has a tradition of a trip with a half day snorkel charter on a sailing catamaran.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis always seems to give us a final and permanent team bond that is hard to break along with memories that last forever,” junior Michael Lennon said.<\/p>\n

EAST CAROLINA<\/strong>– The Pirates traveled down to Jupiter Beach in South Florida. During their eight days of training the team split up into their training groups. After challenging practices, the team rewarded themselves with some beach time. Other swimmers joined forces to put together a team video.<\/p>\n