Day 5 - Abby Rokosch ’02 (Kenyon College)

This is my third year as the Official Wabash Swimming Guest Coach, but my first attempt at a blog! For those of you that do not know me, I swam for Coach Casares at Kenyon for two years. When he asked me to join the Florida training trip again this year, I really could not pass up 9 days with 28 good looking guys in swim suits! After 5 days with these guys I am in love! ... that is, in love with the way they pull together in practice when Coach throws them a hard set - and the way someone is always joking around even when they are broken down.

The team did another double today and some practice highlights included: sophomore JordOn Blackwell showing his speed as he joined the strength group for the first time all trip, Freshman Phil Towne joining the endurance group and swimming some pretty quick broken 200’s, and Freshman Peter Hewitt clocking the fastest 100 split (53.3)... from a push and after 5600 yards! After the evening practice, we rushed the swimmers out of the water in order to make our reservation at Brazilian Tropicana for the annual senior dinner. Tony Caldwell (’07) is going to take over from here and give you the report on the evening’s activities. (Pictured Above: Coach Rokosch leading lane 3 through practice)

Tony Caldwell ‘07

As the name suggests, Brazilian Tropicana provided us with a variety of native Brazilian dishes with their “meat served on a sword” being the highlight of the meal. Kyle Weaver (‘07) and I were glad to be joined by the entire coaching staff, Allyson Casares as well as Coach Casares’ Uncle Albert, who has annually driven up from Miami to have dinner with the seniors. Although there were no dancing Brazilian showgirls that night, it proved to be a wonderful evening of good food and good conversation - especially about the 7 different types of meat that were continually being brought around to our table. My personal favorite was the “baby beef” cut, although many others enjoyed the pork loin and top sirloin. The night was topped off with the Brazilian band, which provided us all a chance to show off our dancing moves. I know Kyle and I certainly appreciated the evening and the chance to enjoy an evening together with our coaches. (Caldwell and Weaver digging into their "meat on a sword")

Tony and Abby dancing to some live Brazilian music