Camaraderie propels swim and dive team into new season

Although the new academic year is just starting, the UCLA swim and dive team has already been back in Westwood for almost four weeks. In addition to having grueling practices twice a day, the month of September has served as a time for the team to get to know each other on a personal level, a factor that senior swimmer Kathryn Murphy says is essential to a successful team.

“We are creating a good positive momentum leading into the new year by understanding each other and learning how everyone likes to work. It’s important that we push each other and want everyone to succeed,” Murphy said.

Murphy, who has been busy this summer with competitions at the U.S. Open and Olympic trials, said she is happy to be back with UCLA’s team, which will hold its Blue v. Gold scrimmage on Friday.

“It’s exciting and scary to be a senior. We all want to finish off strong,” Murphy said.

Senior diver Paulina Guzman agrees that team chemistry is an essential component for a strong team. With only six divers on the team, the athletes are all incredibly close – “too close,” she joked.

“We motivate each other and give each other technical advice, which is helpful. It’s important that we keep each other accountable so we can continue to improve this year,” Guzman said.

For Guzman, this year is all about having fun. After slipping off the diving board and breaking her leg during a practice last spring, Guzman is hoping to bounce back and finish her collegiate career strong.

Guzman, who is currently limited in training due to her leg injury, is not letting this stand in the way of her final season.

“I’m really focused on not letting my head get in the way and maintaining positive thinking,” Guzman said.

Additionally, with a strong incoming class including freshman Annika Lenz who competed at the World Championship trials, Guzman believes this may be the Bruins best year yet.

“I’m really excited. I feel like we can do a lot of good things this year. We know what we did last year and we want to improve on that this year,” Guzman said.

Swim coach Cyndi Gallagher said the swim and dive program will build on what it achieved last year and has huge expectations for the upcoming year.

Gallagher and the coaching staff have been working hard on encouraging the growth of team bonds. The team had a camping retreat and has frequent team dinners.

“You become so close with the people you swim with because they push you everyday to get better,” Gallagher said. “It’s because of your teammates that you wake up at five in the morning. You push each other and thrive off each other’s energy.”