Jacobs/Hampshire has the edge at St. Viator
It seemed fitting that Tuesday's girls swimming dual meet between the Jacobs/Hampshire co-op team and host St. Viator was held in the Lions' subterranean home pool.
At this point of the season, teams are generally more concerned with keeping the focus on conditioning, less concerned with race times. Some coaches refer to it as a kind of "performance valley."
Such was the case for both Jacobs/Hampshire and St .Viator on Tuesday, as both featured lineups with competitors in unusual events in an effort to keep things a little bit fresh for the athletes.
Jacobs/Hampshire had the edge in this one, as Jackie O'Connor and Alexa Agoranos both won a pair of races in a 58-36 decision. Jacobs/Hampshire also won all three relays.
"We're in a phase where it's really about the work we're putting in - and we're working hard," said Jacobs/Hampshire coach Emily Susmarski. "Most of our kids are actually a little bit slower now than they were at the start of the season, maybe a few weeks ago. But that's normal. It comes with fatigue."
It's been an exciting season for Susmarski's team, which uses the Dundee Rec Center as its home pool. In addition to consistent top-end performers such as distance freestyler Agoranos and backstroke standout Izzy Bavaro (who won the 100 in 1:03.20), Jacobs/Hampshire got a nice surprise as Sydney Erickson won the 200 free in 2:07.22.
"I'd say so far we're really exceeding where we thought we might be," Susmarski said. "That's a credit to the girls."
Jaime Klotz has his team encountering many similar work-related challenges as the veteran coach navigates his first season inc charge at St. Viator.
After a busy stretch that included a fourth-place finish in last weekend's invitational at Maine West and a complicated homecoming stretch this week, the Lions and Klotz both find themselves adjusting to one another.
Klotz said the intensity of practices is one adjustment his swimmers are making. The Lions have a small team in terms of numbers, but one that is long on ability as Jackie Rose, Ashley Alteri, Georgia Christy and Gianna Chu form a core that can give many teams a challenge.
Last-minute lineup adjustments, though, can be troublesome on this small scale.
"When you're finiding out at 1 p.m. that one of your swimmers is sick and can't swim, it really changes the dynamic," said Klotz, who went out of his way to point out that assistant coach Tiffany Barson has been a big help.
A most pleasant surprise was provided by Christy, who placed second in the 100 breast in 1:16.68.
Klotz is encouraged that although his team is down deep in the work valley, it is still generally producing times that are very close to season-bests. And he hopes everyone can stay focused on the big-picture goals.
"If we do things like continue to pay attention to the details and really listen," he said, "then the end of the season will be special for a lof kids."