The Student Comes First
Lawrence's swimming and diving program emphasizes education first!
We realize that the most important goals in our athlete's lives is to
graduate with an unparalleled love of learning and a knowledge base to take them
on to productive professional endeavors. We do, however, know that one of
the most rewarding activities in their lives are what they have been doing
extracurricularly, namely in our case, swimming. At the college
level this role heightens, yet kept in perspective is considered a passionate
character building experience.
Our program encourages excellence through the proper balance
between academics and athletics. Through their commitment
and discipline to being the best they can be they can achieve their goals on both fronts. We
offer an education that has few equals and a swimming program that is built
around hard work, team-building and respect, stroke technique emphasis, mental
toughness, and most importantly, FUN. Under this philosophy even
walk-ons have the opportunity to develop into good team members.
The Student's Freedom to Choose
At Lawrence, each athlete has a hand in the decision-making process concerning their upcoming season. Coach Kirner uses
a cooperative-style of coaching which allows the athletes to choose
what types of events they will train during, and ultimately compete in at the end
of, the season. He also allows the athlete to assist designing their training
format provided they meet their practice and meet commitment. Ultimately,
the athletes are responsible for their choices, and are therefore, treated
and respected as responsible athletes. At the beginning of each season, each athlete
meets with the coach in an individual goal meeting. These meetings are used to
decide upon training plan. These criteria are reviewed as necessary by the coach and athlete to make sure they are meeting the
athlete's expectations, to make any adjustments
and to re- focus on success. In addition, the individual
goal meeting is used to highlight any goals to be met, expectations to
be aware of and special emphasis or technique work needed to be addressed during
the seasonal plan.
Quality Training
The training plan allows for flexibility, variety and challenge
in workouts.
Flexibility meaning "no haggling, yelling or putdowns"
by the coach for missing practice. Also a variety of practice times are offered so
choices can be made. It is understood that as long as the athlete is making
responsible choices and meeting the expectations outlined between themselves
and the coach set in the individual goal meeting they have the freedom of choose.
Variety
meaning the coach lets swimmers swim a variety of events, practices
are never mundane as sets are always fun, rewarding, challenging and motivating.
Challenging
in that practices are individualized to the athlete's skill level and event
specificity. Lawrence's program is quality-based, not quantity driven.
Single practice yardage rarely exceeds 7500 yards. Quantity is
replaced with high levels of sprinting and race-pace efforts. All training
is monitored by heart rates and designed according to energy system designations
(EN1, EN2, EN3, SPR, RP, CP).
Detailed Training
Over the past ten years, 85% of LU swimmers have posted lifetime
best times in at least one of their events by seasons end. Much of this can be
attributed to intense detail incorporated in drills, videotaping and mental
training. Each year the coach goes one-on-one with the athlete, offering
specific drills and videotaping critique of each individual's strokes.
The Complete Program
Lawrence has many offseason training alternatives including water
polo, strength training, crew team and early season captains practices. Additionally, for those wishing to continue training at a high level, the
YMCA offers a highly competitive USS program in our facility during the
off-season free of charge for Lawrence swimmers.
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revised: 15-May-2004
Lawrence Swimming and Diving
