UCLA swim and dive was expected to do well against UC Santa Barbara and BYU, according to the swimmers. On Saturday afternoon, the team did just that.
But there was a lesson in all of this, explained senior Monica Dornick.
“Our coach told us to be gracious winners.”
The advice was fitting, considering the UCLA team won every event of the 14 in this weekend’s tri-meet. Dornick placed first in two races, the 50 meter freestyle and 100 meter freestyle, along with senior Noelle Tarazona and sophomore Madison White, who placed first in the 100 and 200 meters butterfly, and in the 100 and 200 meters backstroke, respectively.
The meet, according to Tarazona, was upbeat, larger than a dual meet and full of cheering. According to Dornick, this was a huge asset to the younger swimmers who, less experienced with away meets, were forced to step out of their comfort zones for the first road meet of the season.
The younger swimmers also had to get “acclimated to their expectations,” especially because UCLA was expected to perform so well. Coach Cyndi Gallagher explained that for a less-difficult meet like this, that is one of the most important assets.
“For freshmen, they’re learning a lot of information, how they swim their races, how we’d like them to swim their races,” Gallagher said.
The focus at this point in the season, Gallagher explained, is on small technique. A lot of newer swimmers haven’t ever previously considered the timing of their strokes and breathing, she said, and only “(swim) to win.”
Moving forward, Gallagher noted that it’s important to be able to translate practice technique into races.
“You just don’t train to train,” she said.
For Dornick, however, the highlight of the weekend was the attitude of the swimmers.
“No matter what the time was, everyone had a great attitude,” she continued, noting that this was a proud moment for her.
And while Dornick said cold weather might have been a small challenge at the event, Gallagher had a different answer.
When asked if this meet posed any challenges to the team, she thought for a second but replied confidently: “Nah.”
Compiled by Sari Zureiqat, Bruin Sports senior staff.