During their regular season, the Tiger swimming and diving team worked their way to a high degree of success. The teams placed first in the regular season for the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) and 16th in the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Division III regular season rankings. With the final stretch of the year’s competitions approaching, the coaching staff focused on perfecting what was learned throughout the season.

“The swimmers have put in the work. We now place emphasis on executing the details well, by doing them well in practice and taking some time to visualize them as well. From a training perspective, we are giving swimmers more rest and practicing their speed so that they’ll be at their fastest for SCAC Championships,” Cathleen Pruden, head swimming coach, said.

Similarly, Stan Randall, head diving coach, is focusing on helping the diving team perfect their dives.

“They’re not learning any new dives, they’re just polishing. They’re trying to move a bit closer (to the diving board), go a little bit higher, make sure the body line is straight, toe point and keep the legs straight,” Randall said.

This continued effort is also seen in the team itself. Both Coach Pruden and Coach Randall emphasized that the goals for each athlete would be purely self-determined. As a result, many of those competing were able to set their own goals as well as any last preparations they want to work on.

Michael Kohl, junior geoscience major, expressed deep confidence in his preparation and practice over the season thus far as well as a particular focus on strengthening his mental fortitude.

“At the SCAC Championships, I’m looking to win all my events with the best times, but primarily I’ll treat it as a tune-up for NCAA’s to perfect all of my events. At the NCAA, I have very big goals as I’d like to make the championship finals in several relays and individual events. If everything goes right, maybe I’ll walk away with a national title, too,” Kohl said.

His teammate and fellow swimmer Emma Hagan, junior psychology and German studies double-major, expressed her confidence with the practice she has been in throughout the season as well as her goals for winning in her events both individually and in relay races.

“I feel pretty confident about how SCAC will go this season. I have been faster than my times at this point last year. The relays are very different from last year but it is cool to see different people being put into relay positions and mixing up the order,” Hagan said.

Meanwhile, on the diving team, their confidence also powers their drive to compete. A key aspect for Randall and Gabi Fulk, captain and senior computer science major, was the atmosphere of the team.

“I like to keep it positive, focusing on team morale and making sure everyone is having a good time along with being competitive in diving. It’s a team goal to make sure everyone is supported and performing the best they can,” Fulk said.

With both the swimming and diving teams making their final preparations, the stage is set for the final competitions this season. The SCAC championship will be held from Feb. 8-11 at the Garland ISD Natatorium in Garland, Texas. The NCAA will have its championship finals from March 15-18 at the Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro, North Carolina.