Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Reigning Ivy Champion Swim/Dive Teams Continue Preseason Push In Florida
October 31, 2015 | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
The reigning Ivy League champion Princeton men's and women's swimming & diving teams will continue their already strong preseason during their annual trip to Florida, which began Friday following the conclusion of mid-terms.
Both Princeton teams are coming off dramatic championship seasons, though they were memorable in different ways. The Tiger women traveled to Boston, trailed through 19 of 21 events during an incredible championship weekend, and clinched their 22nd title with a record-setting performance in the 400 free relay.
The men's championship followed one weekend later, and while the final session didn't have the same closing drama, the Tigers reclaimed the Ivy crown with a dominating wire-to-wire performance inside DeNunzio Pool.
But those are in the rearview mirror for a pair of teams that have the highest aspirations for the 2015-16 season.
The foundation for those aspirations is being built this preseason, and a pair of All-Ivy veterans from both teams understand how important the week in Florida can be.
“Our Florida training trip is a great opportunity to take a mental break from the stresses of school life and come together as a team for some quality bonding time and some training,” said senior Byron Sanborn, an NCAA Championships qualifier who has six Top-3 finishes at the Ivy League Championships. “There's nothing like knocking out some fast long course racing under a beautiful Florida sunrise, smooth segue to another race to the hotel breakfast omelette line. The work we put in down there sets us up to compete and train at a high level for the rest of the season.”
While Sanborn would love nothing more to add one more title and trip to the NCAAs to finish his career, junior Olivia Chan is hoping to lead the Princeton women to back-to-back Ivy League titles for the first time since 2010-11.
“Florida is and has always been one of my favorite parts of the year,” said Chan, a former runner-up in the 200 IM at the Ivy Championships. “It is a time when the team comes together to train and race rigorously for an entire week. I think it's extremely important for solidifying the team dynamic because we're all there together, free from the stress of schoolwork, getting to know each other better and getting one another through all the difficult practices. It is a time when we simultaneously have fun and really develop our passion for our sport and the team.”
The women will have a chance to measure themselves at the end of the week, as they will open their season at the University of Miami. The men will compete in a scrimmage against Florida Atlantic.
This is also the first Florida trip for men's assistant Michael Joyce, who has been impressed with his team's early work this preseason.
"The first few weeks have been great as our guys are really getting back into peak shape quickly,” Joyce said. “The guys have really welcomed me into the PUCSDT family and they are eager to keep moving forward this season to not only work towards their individual goals, but also our team's goals. These young men are definitely a special group and I look forward to our season opener at the Penn State Invite or the Minnesota Grand Prix in a few weeks."