The Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving teams have completed their captain’s practices and officially started practicing on Oct. 1. The focus has shifted from team chemistry during captain’s practice to serious training in the pool. The men and women also had a team retreat where the swimmers were able to reconnect with teammates, meet the new first year members, and set goals for the season.

The men’s team, which currently has about 30 members, is hoping to rebound after a tough season last year. The men finished fifth overall in last year’s conference meet.

“It would take a lot for us to go for a conference win, but I’d love to beat Carleton this year,” Senior Tommy Panetti said when asked about his goals for the team this season.

The men are hoping they can use the team unity they have been working on as a stepping stone towards a better finish in the conference meet.

“We took a big step forward as a team and really came together at the end of the last season. We are hoping to build on that foundation this year and move out of the middle of the pack in the conference,” Head Men’s and Women’s Coach Jon Carlson said.

The women’s team, which currently has about 50 members, is hoping to build on the success of last year’s season and continue their winning streak at the conference meet.

“The season went really well last year. We won conference for the fifth straight year and placed the highest we ever have at Nationals. By bringing six girls to that meet we placed seventh, which is a remarkable accomplishment,” Senior Katie Olson said.

In addition to placing well at the conference meet, both teams are also looking forward to seeing how the new first year swimmers will contribute to the team.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how some of the freshmen do… we don’t really know what they’re capable of now, and with this kind of different training I’m really excited to see how fast they can go and what they can do for the team,” Panetti said.

The first official swim meet of the season will be hosted by Gustavus on Nov. 1 against the University Wisconsin Eau Claire and the College of Saint Benedict.

-Katie Young