The Northern Michigan University Swimming and Diving team will resume the 2007-2008 season Saturday, Jan. 19 against St. Norbert College. The Wildcats have not been in action since last semester.
“The season is going well,” head coach Bob Laughna said. “Everyone is doing well and is upbeat about the rest of the season.”
NMU had a rough start to the year, losing all four contests at the St. Cloud State University Double Duals on Oct. 19-20, but bounced back with a six-point victory over Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC) foe Hillsdale College at home on Nov. 17.
The ‘Cats finished up the 2007 portion of their schedule at the Eastern Michigan Invitational where Northern finished eighth of 10 teams.
The winter break did not stop the training for the NMU swimmers, though, as the team stayed in Marquette to practice.
“Some of us stayed in a hotel to stay up here during the break,” said sophomore Sarah Van Oss. “Coach Laughna cooked dinner for us basically every night.”
The swimmers spent most of their break in the pool, practicing six days a week.
The women had two-a-day practices for five days a week. On Sundays, the team had one three-hour practice.
The Wildcats will soon find out whether the extra practice pays off. They have two more regular season meets beyond the St. Norbert competition.
The first is a reunion with former Wildcat head coach Jon Wilson at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh on Jan. 26. Following that, the swimmers will compete at GLIAC rival Grand Valley State University on Feb. 2.
The GLIAC Swimming and Diving Championships will take place Feb. 13-16 in Indianapolis.
