Despite competing in different states, the UCLA swim and dive team faced similar challenges this weekend at both the UNLV Fall Invitational in Las Vegas and the Wildcat Diving Invitational in Tucson, Ariz.
Although poor air quality due to rain and other environmental factors led swim coach Cyndi Gallagher to decide that it was in her team’s best interest to leave Las Vegas early, much colder temperatures in Arizona forced divers to adapt to foreign conditions.
“It’s freezing. We haven’t competed in weather like (this) in a while,” said senior diver Paulina Guzman, who came fourth in the 3-meter and sixth in the 1-meter final. “It’s hard to stay warm and relax and not tighten up because it’s so cold, but I think it’s good. If we’re able to dive in meets like this then we’re able to dive anywhere.”
Despite the challenging environment, the UCLA dive team fared well individually, with freshman Annika Lenz coming third in the 3-meter final on Friday and seventh in the platform final on Sunday.
The swim team was also able to look on the brighter side of adversity, as many swimmers put on impressive showings before leaving the invitational early.
Freshman Linnea Mack joined the UCLA all-time top 8 in the 50-meter freestyle after her performances on day one of competition, and both she and senior Anna Senko posted NCAA “B” qualifying times.
“(Anna) had a great meet. She was really tough. She led off the relay (Friday) night … (and) she swam really well in all of her events,” Gallagher said. “She’s been injured but … she knows that when she can train she trains really hard. That’s made a difference in her performance at meets.”
The fact that the swim team bussed to Las Vegas gave it the flexibility to return to Los Angeles sooner, according to Gallagher. With more travel coming up with the Thanksgiving holiday and Texas Invitational the following weekend, Gallagher says she wanted to give her team a chance to rest and study.
“We all had a good meet. … Everyone raced really well,” Senko said. “The air quality wasn’t so great but (Saturday) morning everyone swam really well so no one was focused on leaving the meet early or anything.”
Fifteen swimmers will compete at the upcoming Texas Invitational, but both Senko and Guzman referred to the competition of the new year when talking about their focus for the rest of the season.
With opponents such as top-ranked USC and No. 2 Cal visiting the Bruins at Spieker Aquatics Center in February, the seniors said their approach to training is centered on preparation for 2014.