UCLA swim and dive is focusing on heading into the Pac-12 tournament, despite being weighed down by logistical concerns.
Coach Cyndi Gallagher and assistant coach Naya Higashijima worked on supplying equipment and miscellaneous items to the team right up until they left for Federal Way, Wash. on Tuesday morning.
“We don’t just show up on deck and coach,” Gallagher said. “It’s getting the chimichanga order and making sure their snack packs are ready – all this stuff, it’s crazy.”
Gallagher said that suits for championship meets cost $400 each and survive one day of wear. Higashijima had been scrambling to order suits for this week, finally securing an order of them from India. She was also responsible for washing sheets swimmers needed for massage therapy.
At the last practice before the trip to Washington, however, the team was singular in its sole focus on competing. Nearly 30 swimmers crammed into the jacuzzi in the Spieker Aquatics Center after their workout, intently listening to Gallagher discuss the schedule for the following morning. After her talk, a quiet chorus of “Go Bruins” could be heard from the swimmers.
“It’s where everything really comes together,” said senior Monica Dornick. “For us, it’s putting the pieces together and (at) Pac-12s, everything is on the line.”
Gallagher intends to do one better than last year’s performance.
“Without a doubt, top three,” she said.
The team’s recent performance may very well set them up to contend with the likes of No. 1 Cal and No. 3 Stanford. Dornick said that the times at the last dual meet against No. 12 USC were considerably better than those from the same event last year.
“We did really well (at USC) when we weren’t rested,” said senior Jessica Khojasteh. “So if we can do that in season, it’s exciting to see what we can do at Pac-12s.”
Khojasteh said that what she looks forward to most this week are the faces of her teammates when they see their unexpectedly fast times.
“Their reaction is priceless,” she said. “It’s satisfaction and relief and just knowing that your hard work has paid off.”
Swim and dive will enter Pac-12 competition Wednesday. With all of the little things out of the way, all they have to do now is perform.