Swim & Dive Recaps a Fast and Fun Winter Training Trip in Florida
Jan 09 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Swimmers spend 11 days in Fort Myers, while divers return from eight-day excursion to Orlando
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Jan. 9, 2018) – Rutgers swimming and diving rang in the New Year during a winter training trip in the Sunshine State from Dec. 28 to Jan. 8. The swimmers spent 11 days in Fort Myers, Florida, while the divers enjoyed an eight-day stay three hours Northeast in Orlando.
The itinerary was jam-packed with training sessions, activities, team meals and a fair share of fun. The swimmers utilized the facilities at Florida Gulf Coast University for both long and short course training, along with weight lifting and stretching routines. For a change of pace, the Scarlet Knights ventured out into the unseasonably cool Florida winter for a couple of trips to the beach.
Dinner plans were highlighted by strength and conditioning coach Kevin Backus mastering the gas grill with steaks, burgers and dogs as each room was responsible for bringing a side dish.
"This training trip was a huge success," said co-head coach Jon Maccoll. "We got a lot of work done and I think the women are prepared for big swims at the Big Ten Championships coming up soon. Most importantly, I saw this team form into a very positive group of women while getting great satisfaction out of hard work in the water and fun times at the beach."
The Scarlet Knights took care of some business in a practice meet at FGCU, where each swimmer picked a stroke and swam three events for a combined score winner. Facing off against swimmers from the host Eagles, Saint Louis University and Liberty University, sophomore Francesca Bertotto claimed the distance freestyle title, junior Vera Koprivova won backstroke and junior Francesca Stoppa was named the butterfly champ.
Bertotto swept her three events in the 200, 500 and 1000-yard freestyle. Koprivova touched in first in the 200-yard backstroke, while placing second in the 50- and 100-yard events. Stoppa claimed the 200-yard butterfly, also scoring second place finishes in the 50 and 100.
Meanwhile, the divers took to the boards at the YMCA of Central Florida in Orlando for 12 training sessions. Despite the cooler than expected temperatures, the Scarlet Knights took advantage of a well-equipped dryland training room, featuring three dry boards, a trampoline and spring floor. They celebrated New Year's Day with a trip to Walt Disney World.
"The divers had a great week of training," said co-head coach Frederick Woodruff. "We got a lot of diving in, despite having to cancel a few workouts due to frigid conditions. Disney World was also a lot of fun. We have resumed training in the warm confines of our aquatics center getting ready for our next home meet with Yale."
Rutgers swimming and diving is back in action on Friday, Jan. 12 for a home dual meet against Yale at 4 p.m. in the Rutgers Aquatic Center.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers swimming & diving, follow the program on Twitter (@RUSwimDive) and on Instagram (ruswimdive). The team is also on Facebook (facebook.com/RUSwimDive).
The itinerary was jam-packed with training sessions, activities, team meals and a fair share of fun. The swimmers utilized the facilities at Florida Gulf Coast University for both long and short course training, along with weight lifting and stretching routines. For a change of pace, the Scarlet Knights ventured out into the unseasonably cool Florida winter for a couple of trips to the beach.
Heading back from Winter Training Trip this weekend in Florida! Can't wait to tell you all about our activities, which you can see included a lot of fun.
— RU Swimming & Diving (@RUSwimDive) January 5, 2018
Look out for the feature early next week on https://t.co/51Sz5mUau2. pic.twitter.com/4RnCo2KfiJ
Dinner plans were highlighted by strength and conditioning coach Kevin Backus mastering the gas grill with steaks, burgers and dogs as each room was responsible for bringing a side dish.
"This training trip was a huge success," said co-head coach Jon Maccoll. "We got a lot of work done and I think the women are prepared for big swims at the Big Ten Championships coming up soon. Most importantly, I saw this team form into a very positive group of women while getting great satisfaction out of hard work in the water and fun times at the beach."
The Scarlet Knights took care of some business in a practice meet at FGCU, where each swimmer picked a stroke and swam three events for a combined score winner. Facing off against swimmers from the host Eagles, Saint Louis University and Liberty University, sophomore Francesca Bertotto claimed the distance freestyle title, junior Vera Koprivova won backstroke and junior Francesca Stoppa was named the butterfly champ.
Bertotto swept her three events in the 200, 500 and 1000-yard freestyle. Koprivova touched in first in the 200-yard backstroke, while placing second in the 50- and 100-yard events. Stoppa claimed the 200-yard butterfly, also scoring second place finishes in the 50 and 100.
Meanwhile, the divers took to the boards at the YMCA of Central Florida in Orlando for 12 training sessions. Despite the cooler than expected temperatures, the Scarlet Knights took advantage of a well-equipped dryland training room, featuring three dry boards, a trampoline and spring floor. They celebrated New Year's Day with a trip to Walt Disney World.
"The divers had a great week of training," said co-head coach Frederick Woodruff. "We got a lot of diving in, despite having to cancel a few workouts due to frigid conditions. Disney World was also a lot of fun. We have resumed training in the warm confines of our aquatics center getting ready for our next home meet with Yale."
Rutgers swimming and diving is back in action on Friday, Jan. 12 for a home dual meet against Yale at 4 p.m. in the Rutgers Aquatic Center.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers swimming & diving, follow the program on Twitter (@RUSwimDive) and on Instagram (ruswimdive). The team is also on Facebook (facebook.com/RUSwimDive).
- RU -
Players Mentioned
Free
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Back/Free
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Fly/Free
/ Women's Swimming & DivingRutgers Athletics Launches the Athletic Excellence Fund
Monday, October 06
R Fund, Knights of the Raritan are YouKnighted | Million Dollar Match
Friday, February 28
Rutgers x Nike Apparel Partnership
Thursday, December 19
Rutgers Athletics 2023-24 Year in Review
Friday, July 12
