Relay teams anchor women's swimming lineup
Tony Lee
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: Sports
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That used to be the winter break schedule for the women's swimming team, if its grades were up to the coach's standards.
But under first-year coach Seth Johnson's command, the Bonnies achieved only two of the three tasks, stayed on campus and avoided the sunny Florida weather.
"It stunk, and I was really bummed in the beginning of the year," junior backstroke specialist Katie Valentine said. "Hopefully this semester, we'll make sure our grades are OK. If I don't go to Florida my senior year, I'll be really sad because it's nice being tanned at the beginning of the semester."
Johnson said staying on the Bonaventure campus gave the team an opportunity to train harder and become cohesive.
"We've got a small team this year, and I think it's actually been good," Johnson said about the team's chemistry. "And I think us staying here over break for training, instead of going down to Florida this year, really brought them closer because we can do a lot of team things."
One of the most improved areas is the relays - the only team-swimming events in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
With the relay team of Valentine, sophomore breaststroke specialist Kayla Cobb, senior butterfly specialist Taylor Merena and senior freestyle specialist Allison Smith, the Bonnies placed first in the 400-yard medley relay against Niagara Jan. 30.
The Bonnies also placed first in the same event with a lineup of Valentine, Cobb, Merena and sophomore freestyle specialist Lanae Petty against Binghamton Jan. 16.
"Everything this year has been really different than last year, but not in a bad way," Valentine said. "It's a lot longer practices than what we were used to in my first two years, but I think it's been really beneficial so far. I think it'll show in the A-10's."
The team of Valentine, Cobb, Merena and Petty set the school record in the 200-yard medley relay (1:45.01) last year in the A-10 championships.
"It's a pretty big honor," Merena said of being on a relay team. "You're the fastest in whatever stroke or event that is."
Johnson said that one of the Valentine's best characteristics is her ability to swim in back-to-back events if needed, and Merena is one of the leaders of the team.
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