A Day in the Life.....

This week's A Day in the Life comes from freshman Claire Mills who swims distance free for the Bears.

Claire Mills

                As with any Northern Colorado swimmer, my day starts at around 5:15 in the morning, when I figure that I shouldn’t press “snooze” on my alarm more than twice. Because of the absurdly early hour, the last thing I want to do is blind myself by turning on the light, so stumble around in the dark, looking for a shirt, a pair of sweats, a sweatshirt, and a pair of shoes. After I eat a spoonful of peanut butter and brush my teeth, I make the trek over to Butler-Hancock for morning practice.

                It’s always good to get there early, so that I can lay down and take a “micro-nap” before we commence to stretching. The worst part of morning practice by far is jumping into the cold water, especially knowing that most people are still curled up in their nice warm beds. But after the initial shock of cold--which prompts me to sprint the first 150 of warm up--the water isn’t a terrible place to be. 

                After a quick rinse in the shower, I change back into my cozy sweats and hoodie, ice my shoulder, and head over to Holmes Dining Hall for the best meal of the day--breakfast. During the entire walk from Butler to Holmes my mind consumed with thoughts of double ham and cheese omelets and a desperate hope for french toast or chocolate chip pancakes. 

                I have time to grab a quick shower before my 9:05 Chemistry class, and by 8:55 I’m hopping on my bike, beginning the marathon of going from class to class for the day. The rest of the morning and afternoon cruise by as my head is filled with chemical equations, scientific publications, anthropological theories, ankle wrapping techniques, and ethical debates about youth and professional sports. Throughout the day I snack and hydrate so I’m ready for practice at 2:45.

                Stretching and dry land are typically filled with comical comments and nicknames for warm up exercises--such as “Whisky squats,” “spine crushers,” and “black outs.” By 3:30 I’m in my suit and ready for the 300 SKIPS or 4-3-2-1 that will likely begin a tough distance workout. 

                Although practice was tough and I have a long list of complaints about it, I’m proud that I made it through and I’m ready for the next best part of the day: dinner. Generally, I eat with several of the other freshmen, where we talk about how good (or bad) dinner is, what was going on with that pull set, and any noteworthy things the football or baseball guys might have done in study hall or in class. 

                After dinner, I retire to my dorm room, where I do laundry, read my book, or start on an assignment for chemistry, scientific writing, or anthropology. Between 9:30 and 10:30 I usually decide to call it quits and crawl into bed, hoping that the morning doesn’t come too soon. 

                As a freshman, coming into a new team at a higher level was an adjustment, and there is no denying that it was pretty tough for most of the first semester. I learned to throw all prior training out of the window, and trust that I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing, even though a lot of it is a different style than I have ever experienced. I’ve also learned that no good comes out of a pity party, especially because there are 30 other girls who have your back, unconditionally. College swimming is tough and without the team, it might very well be impossible. It’s also important to have fun and laugh whenever possible, because it keeps your mind off of how tired and sore you are; plus, what’s the point of the college experience if its all doom and gloom? It takes a strong person--physically, mentally, and emotionally-- to be able to balance 15 credit hours, 20 practice hours a week, mandatory team study hall and an attempt at a social life; all on about 6 and a half hours of sleep a night, and this season I think I’ve proven myself as one of those strong people. As a freshman college swimmer, I’ve learned things the hard way, the easy way, and all ways in between, and I’m still learning new things every day. And I wouldn’t do a thing change any of this season’s experiences. Just one year of college swimming has shaped who I am as a person; I can’t wait to see what the next three years have in store! 

A Day in the Life

This week's A Day in the Life comes from freshman Hannah Abelein who is from Loveland, CO.  Hannah swims the backstroke and IM events for the Bears.

It’s Monday, at that magical time of day, 5:20 am. Approximately four days a week this is the time when my lovely phone is set to greet me for morning practices. Of course I spring out of bed, chipper and ready to greet the day! Sort of. Well, actually I’m the most sluggish of my wonderful roommates, so while I’m still wandering around dazed and confused from sleep, they are all ready to take on the world. Thank goodness they wait for me every morning, otherwise I probably wouldn’t be able to find my way to fabulous Butler-Hancock, the building where all of this swimming business goes down. On this fine day we have weights with Coach Emily, which always makes for an exciting morning. Not to mention that for the past couple of weeks we have enjoyed the privilege of getting to lift weights after the football team, and let me tell you, that is always an adventure! Unfortunately at seven we have to say goodbye to Coach Emily and our new football friends, because now it’s time for breakfast and classes. I usually eat breakfast in our room because, as an avid procrastinator, I not only have to get ready for the day, I also probably have a few last minute things to put together for classes. But of course everything always gets done. Or else.

Monday classes always pose a win-lose situation for me: in all four classes today, I have one or two fabulous teammates to work with and keep me going—WIN!! But I have four classes today…lose. First, it’s off to psychology with Jamie, where we ace our test, because we’re awesome...and we studied. Then to Chemistry with Kellie and Claire where our good-humored teacher talks about football and marathons, and makes corny Chemistry jokes e.g. “Well now it’s time for us to leave so I guess now we ARE GONE! Argon…get it?” I pause for a quick lunch, which I have to pick up to-go, then I put my thinking cap back on for Global issues with Miss Gina C. and our lovely, English-accented professor. Today, he gets entirely too excited about the global issue in question, which makes it even more difficult to understand what he is saying. But that’s ok with me because he is still hilarious. My last class is American History with one of my fantastic roommates, Casey, where we learn about the fascinating birth of these United States!

 I leave straight after class for dryland and swim practice, which is quite the afternoon escapade, because once you walk through those pool doors you never know what you’re going to get! Thankfully it’s backstroke for me today, which is always buckets of fun, and it’s even more fun with my teammates who, as always, are there pushing me to get better, resulting in a fantastic practice for everyone. Afterwards, it’s off to dinner with my dinner buddy, Melissa: 4:30 pm, every day, count on it! Once dinner is over, and the fantastic four (a.k.a. 520 North Hall) are all congregated back in the room, it’s roomie time! The most exciting part of the day, obviously, because who knows what shenanigans we’ll get up to. Movie night?  Brownie/cookie baking?  Crazy musical mischief? Yes! Life up here at UNC never gets boring, especially when I get to spend every day with my favorite group of girls ever. And no, nothing could ever replace the time I am having right now. GO BEARS!

A Senior's Reflection-JJ Smith

JJ Smith swims the sprint freestyle events for the Aquabears.

As I think back about the past four years I have been on this team, I can only remember the good times.  There were bad times, bad practices, coaches and teammates having bad days, long bus rides, but I only remember the good times.  I remember going to the corn mazes and jumping out and scaring everyone and making some girls cry because they were so scared.  I laugh when I remember all those fun, awkward trips to water world.  The memories of going camping, picking pumpkins, winter training trips, painting classrooms, and white elephant parties.  No matter how beat down or broken we are, we always find a way to pick our team up and kick some butt the next day at practice or a meet.

A few things I remember the most are the conference meets, vividly.  Freshmen year, I was a nervous wreck at the University of Houston.  Swimming against these monsters from other teams and foreign countries, I thought I was big but these girls were WAY bigger and faster.

 

The next year, still in Houston, we came back stronger and faster.  We made some new friends with “the Tank”, “Butt crack boy” and the rest of the Hawaii team and danced the night away in the hotel hallway as we stormed the competition and showed them we were a different team. 

Then finally my junior year we got to make a new name for ourselves at MPSF in Long Beach, California.  We came, we saw, and we conquered.  As a team we rose to the challenge of being the underdogs and we blew everyone away with breaking records and being the team we are. 

And this year, I cannot wait to see how much our team improves and what we can do this year.  Based on what I have seen this season from them I am counting down not the days till I am done but the days until I get to watch my team achieve the goals we have been working for the past 7 months.

After everything I have been through with this team good, bad, hard, fun, etc.  I would never change a single thing that happened the past four years.  I owe my success in swimming and school to multiple people who know who they are.  I would not have been able to finish my swimming career without the help and support of my team.  So again I thank each and every one of you.

If anything I am proud to say I am and will always be a UNC Bear.

Senior's Reflection-Hannah Halstrom

Hannah Halstrom swims the middle-distance fly and free events for the Aquabears.

                I have had the time of my life over the past four years here at UNC. I could not have asked for a better experience. My teammates and coaches have been there for me every step of the way and I would not have been able to accomplish what I have without them!

                As a freshman I was terrified to come to college but something about being on a team makes the process so much easier. You always have someone to eat dinner with or hang out with on any night of the week, even if it means baking a cake and watching Friends.

                My sophomore year was even better because we all had the chance to start fresh again. We had a new coach and a new freshman class. At first I was skeptical about the incoming freshman because there were so many but as it turns out they have now become my best friends and I am with them 24-7! Again, baking cakes and watching Friends.     

                Junior year was one of those years with a lot of ups and downs but my team was there right with me so it was easy to get through it. We became a lot closer and continued to bake and watch Friends.

                I have finally made it to my senior year of college and I still feel as though I am eighteen. I’m nervous to enter reality where there are no set practice times or a team to back you up but I know that I will be successful because this team has taught me to be strong and confident.  We have so much fun together and at the same time we push each other to reach our goals. It has been four year and we still are baking cakes and watching Friends but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

                I will never forget my experience here at UNC or the friends I have made. This team is my family and I love them all so much!

A Senior's Reflection-Sammy Leonard

The Seniors of Northern Colorado Swimming and Diving have dedicated the past four years to the university and their team. On Saturday January 28 they will be honored in front of a home crowd, and each day on our blog you can read about their time at NC.

Today's blog comes from Sammy Leonard who swims the backstroke events for the Aquabears.

It is amazing how fast 4 years can fly by. When I first came to UNC and met all the girls on the team I expected to gain more friends I never expected that I would gain a second family away from home. When I think about the 4 years that I have been on this team there is only one thing that comes to mind and that is my teammates. They are the ones that gave me the strength to get through these years, they were always there to help me get through a really tough practice, and they were there for any other support that I needed.

Some of the best memories that I have had on this team would have to be all of the meets and the activities we do as a team that helps bring us closer together.  I mean, how many teams do you know of that go on camping trips with the entire team and learn about everyone’s life and still come back stronger than ever after spending two days in the woods?…. Not many!

When it comes to thinking about the meets I would say the one that I will ALWAYS remember is conference every year, these meets will be in my mind for the rest of my life. Probably not on what I went or what someone else went but I will remember all the laughs that we had while on these trips that will include how many times we got lost or how many times we had to do a U-turn (I lost count). Also just the great moods everyone was in because we were all swimming great and surpassing all the times that any of us ever thought that we would be able to go.

So with my time on this team I have learned that no matter how bad a day is or how terrible a practice was all I had to do is look for one of my amazing teammates and they were there for me every time. Because after being a part of a team that I have had the experience to be with I won’t remember a practice or my 100 backstroke time at the New Mexico meet what I will remember is the time spent with my team/friends/family.