The LU Swimming and Diving men’s’ and women’s’ teams had excellent seasons this year.  Both teams placed third in their respective Midwest (MWC) Conference championships making it the tenth consecutive season they have placed third or higher in the eight team conference.  From the outset of the season, both teams set forth a goal to work together as a team.  The annual early season retreat to Bjorklunden (Lawrence owned lodge in Door County) set the stage for developing our identity as a team.  After this point and up through the first half of the season many activities and meet events bridge this sense of team cooperation leading into our biggest team event – the Florida break trip.  One of the central themes of our trip is to continue teambuilding and set goals as a team for the second half of the season and through the championships.  Everyone is an important part of our team, not just our “big point getters.”  In fact, this year’s team unity was outstanding as everyone contributed something to the success of our team.

 Some of our other seasonal highlights were the second place finishes by both teams in the Gene Davis Invite.  This Lawrence hosted event in early December is really our midseason championship. Also important was our second place finish by both teams in the Wisconsin Private College Swimming Championships.  In both cases these were quality meets leading up to critical points in our season and our teams responded with outstanding efforts.  Additionally, leading into the MWC Championships, we employed some teambuilding events which set the tone including a couple of team dinners (one set-up on an away trip by a team parent and the other by our assistant coach, Andrea Powers), a few  in-depth team psych-up talks and a team taper video to motivate and inspire based on their championship practice preparation.  At the MWCs , we collected six conference championships, both top three team placings and 85% of our athletes achieved at least one lifetime best.  To view the each days MWC results check out the following links:

Swimmin' Woman getting ready to challenge the boys in ultimate Frisbee at Bjorklunden.

A team favorite! Nick Heuer and Chris Perry, both sophomores reacting to a good set.

All in navy, fellow LU Vikes Tom Caroll, (1st), Adam Kolb (2nd), and Chris Perry (4th) at MWCs on the awards stand for the 500 free.

Coach Kirner rallies seniors around for a pep talk at MWC Champs.