Friday, January 14, 2011

On the road with the UWM swim team ... Part VII

With the UWM swimming team down in Florida on their annual training trip, we thought it would be fun to have a member of the team share their thoughts each day on the UWM Blog.

The Panthers are in sunny Fort Lauderdale, training at Pinecrest Academy, both short and long course. The team hotel is right on A1A on the beach for the fourth-straight year. They will be on the trip through the 15th of January before resuming the regular season schedule second semester against Carthage College on Jan. 16.

****************************************************************************

The seventh blog entry comes from junior Kyle Trelka:

Today was a great day. Before last night's workout, the UW-Milwaukee Swimming and Diving had reached the breaking point as a team. Every single person on the team had pushed themselves to the limit and was exhausted. Some of us were just wishing to get home and make it the last few days of training. Surviving seemed to be the main goal of the team. We were getting sick of swimming and somewhat of each other.

But then something was realized, something clicked. I can’t pinpoint a specific event that brought it out, but it was a breath of fresh air and new energy which surged through the team. As a team, we suddenly came together and realized we could thrive in this broken and sore environment. This is what makes us great. We are able to push our minds and our bodies until there seems to be nothing left, when all of the sudden we find the drive and desire to be not only good, but incredible. We know as individuals we can succeed, but as a team we can dominate.

The biathlon, which every single member of the team completed, was a great testament to this. Not only were some amazing times put up for the combined one mile swim and three mile run, but we all pushed one another beyond what we individually thought we could. There was cheering and applause from the very beginning to the end. Only when the last Panther crossed the finish line did anyone stop watching their teammates and encouraging them on.

If we can pull together like this in a practice, what is there to stop us at a meet? Who is there to stop us? UW-Milwaukee is ready and excited for the opportunities we will receive, get ready Horizon League.