2023 CCS Nationals: THE Ohio State University
This past weekend, UMCS took 17 members (15 national qualifiers and 2 EBoard members) to Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio to compete at College Club Swimming Nationals. These swimmers worked extremely hard throughout the semester to make the increasingly challenging qualifying times, and we are so proud that they could represent us for all of College Club Swimming!
The team met at Boyden at 3 AM on Thursday, March 30th, and drove an hour to Bradley International Airport for a 6 AM flight. After a quick nap and a layover in Baltimore, UMCS arrived in Columbus at 10 AM. We secured our three vans for the weekend from Enterprise and headed to Raising Canes (the first of three trips throughout the weekend) for a bite. UMCS stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Columbus-University Area, only a short drive from the pool. Swimmers had time to decompress before we headed to the McCorkle Aquatic Pavillion, but we were sure to celebrate Kelsey MacMillan's birthday with cupcakes before we left. UMCS then checked in and warmed up at the pool. While McCorkle is beautiful, it doesn't have the character (dirt and grime) of our beloved Boyden! When our quick swim was over, UMCS met Olivia Tyka, the sister of our lovely coach, Phil, who took us on a tour of The Ohio State University campus. Thanks for your Buckeye hospitality, Olivia! We were lucky to have beautiful weather on our first day in Columbus and perused High Street to find dinner. Upon return to the hotel, UMCS took the night to themselves.
Swimmers had a leisurely Friday morning, some choosing to stay in the hotel instead of exploring Columbus. While one group of swimmers headed off to Waffle House, a national's tradition, another group ate at North Market, a farmer's market with various yummy meals. After eating, swimmers walked along High Street to shop. The men came into Anthropologie, so the women went into the male equivalent, the Man Emporium, to look at ties and Lego sets. The first swimming session started later in the day, with UMCS competing in the 200 backstroke, 500 freestyle, and 400 medley relay. Our members swam great races and even went best times, kicking off nationals on the right foot!
Saturday morning had an early start with warm-ups scheduled for 8 AM. UMCS had swimmers competing in the 200 medley relay, 50 fly, 200 IM, 50 free, 100 breast, 200 free, 100 back, and 400 freelay. Saturday prelims were long and tedious, but UMCS brought the energy, cheering for each other all day. In an exciting addition to the day, one of our swimmers, Aiden Shepston, engaged in a swim-off with a UConn swimmer (a CUm off, as we called it) in the 50 freestyle for a chance to make the final as an alternate. Great work UMCS! The team returned to the pool later in the evening to watch Bel Corder swim the 100 backstroke at finals, placing 3rd overall. What a supportive bunch! We finished the night with Raising Canes (the third and final trip) and slept off the day of hard work.
Sunday started just as early as Saturday, with warm-ups beginning at 8 AM. UMCS swam in all the Sunday events, the 200 freelay, 50 back, 100 fly, 50 breast, 100 free, 100 IM, and 200 mixed freelay. Swimmers made signs reading "Minutemen finish fast" and "Rush UMCS" for the upcoming day of swimming to cheer for their teammates and intimidate the competition. Coach, Phil Tyka, swam under the alias 'Yulian Ye' to get in the water during the men's 200 freelay. Prelims went much quicker on Sunday, but UMCS had to return to the pool to support two finalists. Bel Corder swam the 50 backstroke, placing 3rd, and Ben Doughty swam the 100 fly, placing 15th. After a meet well done, UMCS celebrated in the hotel!
The following day, UMCS took two flights back to Bradley International Airport, paying too much for airport food along the way. We drove an hour back to UMass and arrived back on campus by 7 PM.
We are extremely proud of our national swimmers, who took the weekend to commit their minds and bodies to this amazing sport! Links to the livestreams and Austin's pictures are all down below.
Special shoutouts! UMCS shows great appreciation to EBoard members, Phil Tyka and Michael Pizzuto, for joining us this nationals! Your energy and support were essential on deck and we were all glad to have you with us! Big thanks to Austin Lee, who not only swam in the meet but took the most stunning pictures of UMCS throughout the weekend. You never fail to make us all feel special! And most importantly, THANK YOU ILANA KREBS for organizing an amazing weekend. You have allowed us to compete at the utmost level without worrying about logistics. We recognize all of the hard work you put in as president and we are eternally grateful for what you do for the team. LOVE YOU ALL!
Livestream:
Day 1 Pictures:
Comments