Date: 20 Feb 2009 Comments: 0

“We are clap clap Harvard clap clap, we are clap clap Harvard clap clap…….” was the chant heard rumbling through the Blodgett Swim Complex.  The Harvard Women’s Swim team was gearing up for one of their most important meets of the season.  This time every year Harvard, Princeton and Yale Universities come together to battle it out in the water.  The energy in the building sent shivers down my spine.  I was in touch with the same nerves I used to get before I competed and the smell of chlorine never smelled so good.  I was honored to have been given the opportunity to witness such an extraordinary event.  About 30 minutes before the competition began, the stands nearly filled and school colors were in full representation.  Fans and parents were cheering from the stands dressed in attire that left no doubt what school they supported.  This meet is a main focus for all three schools involved.  They are rivals; with one goal in common………..WIN!  Not only was I excited to be a witness of this event, but I was especially excited to watch BAC Alum, Victoria Pratt, compete for Harvard University. 

Being a collegiate swimmer is an awesome honor.  At this level swimming is no longer an individual sport.  No swimmer at the HYP meet was alone in any one of their races.  During every single event the announcer had trouble speaking over the athletes and fans cheering for those on the blocks.  It is nearly impossible not to perform well under these circumstances.  Victoria Pratt swam very well and represented Harvard beautifully. 

All BAC Club Swimmers should strive to be a collegiate athlete.  It builds long lasting relationships and it is an experience that you will never forget.   I still stay in close touch with many of my teammates from my college team.  As a matter of fact, I attended a wedding last summer of a former teammate and twelve swimmers from 1996 were in attendance. 

At BAC, the coaches strive to get swimmers ready for the college level.  Swimming at the college level is such a great experience; we want all swimmers to push themselves now in school and in the water in order to be given this unique opportunity.  It is always a good idea to begin looking at colleges and their swimming programs to get a feel of where you might want to attend school.  Take a look at our BAC web site and click the link “life after BAC” to see where some of our athletes are now.   

Being a college athlete is not an easy job by any means but it is one of the most rewarding experiences you can imagine.  Start striving for it now.

 

Coach Culp