Team plans to swim up to speed during Invitational
By Daily Bruin Staff
Nov. 28, 2001 9:00 p.m.
 Daily Bruin File Photo Leslie Hovsepian
dashes through the water in the 200 meter breaststroke during a
meet last season.
By Regina Yeh
Daily Bruin Contributor
A typical Tuesday swim practice concluded with an a typical
result – a cake.
A chocolate-covered cake with green icing surprised swimming
head coach Cyndi Gallagher, whose team celebrated her birthday
before the annual Husky Invitational ““ the last meet of the
first half of their season.
Leaving today, the women’s swimming team sets out to
conclude the year in Federal Way, Wash., with a shared mentality of
relaxed confidence.
“We’ve had a lot of fun so far in the season.
We’ve put a lot of work this year into practice, and
we’ve also had to work with different changes in the
program,” junior Beth Boehm said, while cutting a slice of
the cake. “We’re just resting this weekend, but
it’s a good opportunity for us.”
Assistant coach Gregory Meehan reiterated the atmosphere of
confidence and anticipation. He looks forward to traveling towards
the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center, which also hosts
Pac-10 competitions, as well as other college and club swimming
meets. For the team, it’s not so much of a make-or-break
event as it is a chance for the team to focus on swimming
speed.
“We’re going to a great facility, a place
everyone’s familiar with,” Meehan said.
“It’s less pressure since it’s not so much about
points as it is about doing well.”
The meet will take place this weekend from today through
Saturday, as the Bruins prepare to finish the first half of the
season with enthusiasm. But the Husky Invitational may also prove
to be an event that reflects the second half of the season.
Immediately after her birthday celebration, Gallagher and the
team were watching tapes of swimming techniques, evidently going
back to business in preparation for the competition.
“This is a big meet for the season,” junior Erin
Zehntner said. “All of us have been working hard and we plan
to do well and swim fast.”
