Interesting dryland tip

A few years ago, Dr. David Costill at the Human Performance Lab at Ball State univeristy conducted a test on weight training for swimmers. Dr. Costill and the BSU Human Performance Lab have done much of the cutting edge original research now considered standard practice in excersise science.

He divided the group of swimmers into two groups, one did a traditional weight training program for swimmers. The other group did just dips and pull ups on a weight assisted machine. The Gravitron 2000 in the fitness center is an example of this type of machine. They did 3 sets of dips and 3 of pullups with as many reps as it took to reach complete fatigue on each set.

The study had the participants swim and lift for six weeks followed by six weeks of just swimming. Those doing the traditional lifting exercises showed no time improvement over 25 yards while those who did dips and pullups averaged an improvement of .3 seconds.

I find this to be a very interesting result. So hits those dips and pullups!

Twenty-five Lakers named members of the GLIAC All-Academic Team

Twelve women and eleven men have been named to the GLIAC All-Academic Team for swimming and diving. To be eligible, a student athlete must have: a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or greater (on a 4.0 scale); must be a starter or key reserve; and must not be a freshman or first-year transfer.

Honorees are: Amy Akers (So.), Kim Baughman (Jr), Katie Czirr (Jr), Melissa Faletti (Jr), Jenna Fredrickson (So), Erin Kinney (Jr), Katie Lawrie (Sr), Erin Lynch (Jr), Antonia Musto (So), Alexandria Nagel (Sr), Anna Polkowski (Jr), Nina Reynolds (Sr), Allison Scholz (Sr), Rachel Strom (So), Aaron Beebe (So), Ryan Gerber (So), David Hayhow (So), Justin Pattermann (Jr), Jeff Pauza (Jr), Collin Perry (Sr), Aaron Renton (Sr), Joe Sayre (So), Paul Tansey (Sr), Patrick VanDommelen (Jr), Matt Witkowski (Sr).

Congratulations to these fine Student-Athletes who demonstrate how Laker swimmers get it done in the classroom as well as the pool.

Food for thought

Following the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates in 1858, Lincoln discovered on election night that despite a majority of pro-Lincon votes cast in Illinois, he was not going to win a seat in the US Senate. Walking home well after midnight he tripped on a crack in the sidewalk and nearly fell.

Reflecting later on both the election and the his stumble he said, "I realized then, that it was a stumble and not a fall and I could go on." Two years later he became the greatest president in US history.

We are not defined by our "stumbles" but by how we react to them.

Coach Boyce interviewed on WGVU

Follow the link below to see Coach Andy Boyce's interview on WGVU after NCAA's.
Click the link in the sidebar on the right labeled WGVU to watch'

Men 4th, Women 8th at NCAA Div II Nationals

I put together some pictures to make a slide show of the outstanding success the Lakers had at NCAA Nationals. Both teams had their highest finish ever and Karen Verbrugge in 1 meter diving, Aaron Beebe in the 200 butterfly and the Men's 400 Medley Relay of Raphael Santos, Hans Hill, Beebe and Matt Witkowski were all National runners-up. All 25 athletes that competed for the Lakers earned All-America honors in a total of 69 events. What an outstanding achievement for both teams!

Laker Men are GLIAC Champs, Women Second!

The GVSU Laker Men dominated the field at the GLIAC Conference meet finishing with 866 points ahead of Wayne State's second place effort of 710.5 points. Ashland finished third with 701 points. Raphael Santos won both backstroke distances and Evan Betts was one meter diving champ. The 200 Medley Relay of Santos, Hans Hill, Aaron Beebe, and Matt Witkowski won with a wild finish. This was the perfect example of great depth and a total team effort.

The women swam a strong meet, Karen Verbrugge was one meter champ in diving. A basketful of new "A" and "B" cuts were recorded and the Lakers once again demonstrated the quality of athlete and person that makes GVSU Swimming and Diving the respected program that it is.

Congratulations to Head Coach Andy Boyce on building another excellent team.

Women's Team Academic All-American

The College Swim Coaches' Association has named Grand Valley State's Women's Swimming and Diving team to the Academic All-America list. Grand Valley State's women's team has earned this distinction every semester the award has been made. Our Lady Lakers do a great job of getting the job done in the classroom as well as the pool. Congratulations gals!