The Florida State swimming and diving coaches look at the season in three phases and the first part of the 2015-16 season has come to a close after the Seminoles completed their five-day training trip in Fort Pierce, Fla. at Indian River State College on Wednesday.
Both swimming teams left town on Saturday following final exams in order to focus on all facets of training, mental conditioning and team building.
“This was one of the most productive training trips I’ve been a part of in a very long time,” FSU head coach Frank Bradley said. “We got better as a team. After this portion of training, we’re heading in the right direction. I thought our kids did a very nice job and represented Florida State very well.”
On Tuesday, the Seminoles shifted from training to racing by facing FIU and Indian River State College in a uniquely formatted meet that contained 25, 75, 150, 400 and 800 yard races.
The women’s team picked up two wins, 187-101 over IRSC and 192-101 vs. FIU while the men were victorious over Indian River, 191-70.
“The odd distances are great for training,” Bradley said. “It’s different, it’s refreshing and sometimes it’s more encouraging to swim off distances than it is to keep hammering away at the usual format. It surely was beneficial for us and I thought our kids really enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun.”
FSU won 11 individual races and a pair of relays for the No. 23 men’s team as junior Stephan Stojmenovic won the 75 back (36.24) and 150 back (1:18.92) before taking second in the 100 IM (51.76).
Sophomore Calvin Bryant took care of the distance races, winning the 400 free (3:38.75) and 800 free (7:35.01) and senior Cole Hensley won both fly races first taking the 150 (1:18.24) before the 75 (35.43).
Junior Jason McCormick also picked up two wins, claiming the 25 free (9.55) and 75 free (32.30) while his classmate Jason Coombs won the 150 breast (1:27.61) and 100 IM (50.18).
The women’s team produced nine individual victories as sophomore Alexi Smith won the sprint races, first taking the 25 free (10.93) and following it with a victory in the 75 Free (37.16).
Also winning a pair of events was freshman Summer Finke, who touched with a time of 3:55.18 in the 400 free before cruising to a five-second victory in the 800 free (7:59.63).
Freshman Meg Brown also contributed two wins, taking the 150 back (1:29.47) and 150 fly (1:28.98). Both wins for Brown were by near three-second margins.
Outside of the pool the Seminoles enjoyed training sessions led by Brian Cain, who is a mental conditioning coach that works with both collegiate and high school students in order to utilize maximum potential.
“Overall I thought training trip was very successful,” senior captain Josie Cuda said. “We trained hard and we had the opportunity to work with Brian Cain and he helped us increase our team chemistry with a different team building activities and private sessions to help us with focusing and mental preparation. It was very helpful.”
Both squads along with coaches participated in several activities that included eating fire.
“That was my favorite activity,” Cuda said. “We also had a great session with the captains too, but I thought overall the team enjoyed it and it was a lot of fun.”
Following Wednesday’s training sessions, the Seminoles boarded the bus back to Tallahassee for two addition practices at the Morcom Aquatics Center before breaking for the holidays.
“It was a great note to close the semester out on,” Bradley said. “We raised the bar, with everything. Now we’ll head into this next part of the year before we transition into championship season.”
The Seminoles will reconvene in Tallahassee before battling (No. 3/14) Florida in Gainesville on Jan. 2 at 2 p.m.
