We have been able to kick off the swim season in some great ways. Ranger Day is an event unlike any other that I have experienced. Doing partner wheelbarrow races, climbing ropes, push-ups, sit-ups, chugging gatorades as part of competition, and the like. I couldn’t think of a better weekend. As a freshman, I was able to learn more about members of the team, and a bit more what Wabash swimming is all about. Everyone was so competitive but encouraging at the same time. I can also say that the team has definitely found the perfect balance of having fun while working your butt off. I really enjoy the rope climbing competition because the first day I was here, I couldn’t climb the rope to save my life and after two weeks I was able to hang from the rafters. However, my favorite of the competitions was chugging gatorades at the end of a race to determine the final victor of that particular competition. That legacy of chugging juices and waters all started for me at Cooks Corners Elementary School at lunch with small bottles of Sunny Delight. I was timed every day to see how fast I could drink it, and I secretly carry on that tradition today.

After spending time with these guys in the pool, seeing how tough they are and how much of a beating they could take, I was able to sit down and talk to many of them over the breaks at Ranger Day. I realized then how smart they all are. I have never seen so many talented, hard working athletes with intelligence in one place. It is a pretty cool setting.

We have begun morning practices as we kick off the season. Let me take a moment to say that 5:45 A.M. has never seen such awesome people kicking around water at any other moment of that time’s existence. I personally enjoy morning practices, and this team makes it even better. The more time I spend around these guys, the more I love them. Coach Weitz is also a very exciting part of the year. He has a very different training style, a style that I can’t wait to expand on! I’m really excited about that. (I was able to maintain a good kick throughout my stroke for years. After a few unfortunate events, I lost the ability to kick efficiently with my arms moving. Two years and one morning practice later, that kick is about back.) My entire life has been an epic battle with a stroke known as breaststroke. I still may not be able to swim the stroke quite yet, but at least after about five minutes of Coach Weitz talking, I finally understand the concept of the stroke. The words shotgun and butterfly used to describe breaststroke clicked with me after about 13 years of nothing. With the stuff we do at practice and how easy it seems to get better while getting faster at swimming, I don’t know how I could want to miss another practice (and I mean what I say). I am very excited about the year and hope to do Wabash proud. The biggest thing I know is that Wabash Always Fights!

I think I am beginning to realize what it means to be a Wabash student. There is no time to complain, nor is there a reason to. I don't hear many people complain at all (except us freshmen who are adjusting to the new lifestyle). As a teacher stated in one of my classes, "I have never heard of students bragging about how much time they spent studying for a class or how late they've stayed up to study." Wabash is an entirely different animal. Seeing how the upperclassmen deal with it makes me excited to be a part of the process because I see that I could become like them in that regard.

Looking forward to a great season both in the classroom and in the pool!

Eric