By James Bossert, Swimming World College Intern
The Westminster Titan swim teams traveled to San Diego, California for their annual winter training trip. Even though nothing is as exciting as meeting Michael Phelps in St. Petersburg, FL last year, it was still full of dual meet wins, many “double-days” of swimming, and a surprise from Coach Rob Klamut. The trip started as a typical training trip which consisted of two-a-day swim practices, lifting weights, dryland training, and the occasional run on the beach.
Photo Courtesy: Kelsey Reott/ Westminster College
As with almost all trips, teams have at least one dual meet. The Titans swam at Occidental College against the host Tigers and the Lewis and Clark College Pioneers.
The women won a close meet against Occidental, 134-127, after winning the final three events. Rebecca Mobley won the 50 fly, Kelsey Reott won the 100 IM and the team of Megan Douds, Marina Rozick, Ashley Wyland and Mobley won the 200 free relay to take the meet victory. They also won 205-56 over Lewis and Clark College.
The men swept the dual meets, but with a little more ease. They beat Occidental 151.5-109.5 and finalized the sweep with a 212.5- 48.5 win over Lewis and Clark College. Mitch Stahara and Steven Brooks each won two events, with Stahara winning the 200 and 500 freestyle, while Brooks took the 50 and 100 back.
Though it wasn’t all fun and games, Coach Rob Klamut surprised the team with a day of Navy SEAL training.
Photo Courtesy: Kelsey Reott/ Westminster College
“It was a cool surprise from coach,” Westminster swimmer Kelsey Reott said. “It turned out to be a great team bonding experience.”
The team also got a chance to meet a couple of SEALs who were between deployments and hear stories about how mentally and physically tough their training is. Then they got to experience some of that training. Senior Jake Pletz described one part of training called “sea turtles.”
“The most challenging part of the training was the ‘sea turtles’ which consisted of a 200 to 300 yard crawl from a sand dune into the ocean while laying on your stomach only using your arms. I felt like a baby sea turtle!”
Photo Courtesy: Kelsey Reott/ Westminster College
Anne Tillie, who comes from a military family, knows a little bit about mental and physical toughness. But she was blown away with how tough the SEALs were and how they tough each of the Titans had to be during the day.
Practicing staying strong and focused despite their mental and physical exhaustion was a learning experience, Tillie said.
“I’ve always respected our serviceman for the training that they go through, but the SEALs take it to a whole new level,” Tillie said. “We got only a small taste of their training. They do this every day.”
As swimmers, we may complain a lot about our practices and repeat 500s. We know those types of sets are physically and mentally demanding, but the SEAL training is even more so.
“The SEALs have an unmatched level of intensity in their training and the variety of exercises,” Tillie said. “A lot of them came from swimming backgrounds.”
Pletz agrees.
“The training that we do with doubles and lifting is difficult but the SEALs’ atmosphere is completely different, which made the training go very fast,” he said. “I was sore in places I didn’t know existed!”
Pletz went on to say that the SEALs training was much harder and it makes swim training “look like a walk in the park.”
Tillie and Pletz both said they have a new appreciation for what the SEALs do and what they endure day in and day out. Tillie explained it pretty simply- “Without a doubt, the SEALs were some of the strongest people I have ever met!”
Photo Courtesy: Kelsey Reott/ Westminster College
The team had some free time as well, with one day used to explore the San Diego Zoo. Some members of the team learned how to surf while others went kayaking around wild dolphins in the Pacific Ocean.
The Titans returned home to cold and snowy Pennsylvania to continue preparing for the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championships, held February 12-14 at Grove City College.