The first week of practice ended on Saturday and the second week officially began this morning.  Last week was great.  I received numerous death threats from the team, at least 2 dozen "I hate you" messages, and even a hug.  The team has been getting ripped up on the gymnastics rings we are using in the weight room, and I can already see some people starting to put on some muscle.  Our leg circuit has people walking very gingerly around campus, and even thinking about using the elevator (but Wabash swimmers don't use elevators, they are athletes in peak physical condition).  We've come quite a ways in only a week as we've been working aerobically and getting to master some new stroke techniques for the upcoming season.  Our core workouts have been intense and mustered much yelling (but the team doesn't realize that yelling really won't help bring that 6 pack out).  And then we had the alumni meet on Saturday.  We had a strong turnout and we were lucky enough to have Gail Pebworth officiate the event.  We had alumni come back from as recently as last year's class to as far back as 1977 (the year Star Wars came out!)  Coming off a 2 hour practice, and then a wonderful breakfast of donuts, bagels, and even Cinnamon Toast Crunch, I was impressed with a number of swims.  Craig Vetor had a great 100 free, breaking the 50. barrier.  Evan Rhinesmith also threw out solid times in the 50 breast and the 100 IM.  We had some iron men participate in every event at the meet, and had a good number of flyers post solid times in the 50 fly as well.  And seeing the alumni put on Blue70s was a treat and it's great someone can still use them!  Getting to put some names to faces with the alumni and meeting new people is always special and I hope I get to meet more alumni over the course of the year.  There is so much promise and excitement in the air here at Wabash, and I'll do my best to nurture and fuel that desire for something greater.