Monday, September 23, 2013

First Day 2013-2014!


The pool is full of Whitman swimmers again!

We officially began the 2013-2014 season this afternoon!  It was great to see everyone back in the water together--and it was fantastic to welcome all of our new swimmers as well!  Just like last season, the 2013-2014 season is sure to be full of fast swimming, close meets, and, of course, all the antics and shenanigans that we have come to expect from the Whitman Swimmers.  Check in with the blog, Facebook page, and Twitter to keep in touch with us as we get rolling.  

Pre-swimming shoulder warm-ups

Here's to a great 2013-2014 season!

1000 Burpees

Last Friday, Juniors Nic Win and Karl Mering embarked on a mission to complete 1000 burpees.  A burpee consists of a pushup followed immediately by standing and going into a squat jump.  Nic previously completed 500 burpees in a solo effort back in July, which took him just over 47 minutes.  This time, Nic and Karl teamed up to attempt 1000.

Nic started out doing 13 burpees every 45 seconds, taking roughly 15 seconds of rest between sets.  After his first 500, he backed off to 10 every minute for the remainder of the 1000.  Karl started out with Nic, but he couldn't quite match Nic's pace and he got into a groove doing 10 per minute early on.  Karl decided to to tap out after 500 burpees.  Karl, unlike Nic, hadn't been working towards 1000 all summer.  Still, Karl's accomplishment is very impressive number all the same.  His willingness to jump into such an ambitious endeavor without having prepared to the same extent as Nic is a shining example of how dedicated this team is to one another.

Nic carried on, doing 10 every minute on the minute, earning 15-20 seconds of rest after each set.  He was joined by some other teammates (and an assistant coach) for the final 350 of his monumental challenge.  After almost exactly 1 hour and 30 minutes, he reached 1000.

Nic rested up for an hour or so and then led the team's final captain's practice of the season.  Karl and Nic's dedication to self-improvement and their willingness to push themselves in new ways is nothing less than inspiring for the rest of the men and women on our team.  It's going to be an incredible year for Whitman Swimming!
Karl and Nic, mid-set

Nic after all 1000!

Monday, September 2, 2013

Opening Week

It's opening week at Whitman and campus has sprung back to life.  After a quiet summer, it's great to see all of our returners and it's awesome to welcome in the class of 2017!

The weather has been ideal and the atmosphere around campus is full of life again.  Classes begin for the 2013-2014 academic year on Tuesday.  Although the swimming season does not officially begin until September 23rd, the captains (Ellen Banks and Melanie Notari for the Women, and Nic Win and Sam Starr for the Men) have been gearing up to hold optional, unofficial workouts to get to know the new swimmers and make sure everyone has a chance to hop in the pool as a team before things get underway.

As the season gets started, be sure to like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter (@WhitmanSwimming) for all all sorts of Whitman Swimming news and other info.  As new blog posts are added, links will be posted to the Facebook page and Twitter.

The class of 2017 getting dinner outside Reid Campus Center