The swim team competed in a dual-meet against the Chapman University Panthers on Dec. 5. Biola earned a combined score of 240 points compared to Chapman’s 201 points. The men defeated Chapman 133-77 and the women lost 107-124, but both teams swam well and earned strong finishes in both relays and individual events.

Continued Success

The women continued success in relay events this season with first place finishes in both the women’s 200-yard medley and 200-yard freestyle relays. The men also succeeded and placed first in the men’s 200-yard medley and 200-yard freestyle relays.

The women’s team swam strong in different strokes during the individual events. Senior Abby Blake secured first the women’s 200-yard freestyle and continued her excellence in distance events this year with a first place finish in the women’s 500-yard freestyle. In addition, sophomore Lisa Tixier came in first in the 400-yard IM, junior Christina Ali finished first in the 100-yard breaststroke, and freshman Rebecca Brandt finished second in the 100-yard butterfly.

Solid Finishes

The men’s team also recorded solid finishes at this meet. Michael Severi took first in both the men’s 100-yard and 200-yard freestyle events, sophomore Daniel Vale took first in the men’s 100-yard butterfly and junior Chad Lejeune finished first in the 100-yard breaststroke. Senior William Granberry competed in the distance events and won the 1,650-yard freestyle.

Tixier said team unity contributes to successful races, including their victories in relay events.

“All our relays have looked really good. It’s really exciting to see what we can do with them and how we come together to support each other,” Tixier said. “We strengthen each other by being a team together.”

The Taper Meet

Tixier said the team lessened the amount of yards they swim each practice, allowing them to work more on speed exercises and provide an opportunity to rest their muscles before their taper meet — the La Verne Winter Invitational from Dec. 11-13 .

“We’re working a lot more on explosive and speed stuff. In the weight room, we’ve done less weights but more explosives and working on speed and power,” Tixier said. “Beginning to rest our muscles so we’ll be in prime shape.”

Refining Technique

In addition to tapering — swimming lighter and lifting less weights — senior Eddie Campana said the team is also refining technique.

“We’re working on the small stuff like starts, flip turns and finishes to kind of get an edge on the little parts of the race that can actually make a really big difference,” Campana said.

Continued Improvement

Campana swam his first meet of the whole season after sitting out due to a back injury and took first in the 100-yard backstroke. He also swam the 200-yard medley and 200-yard freestyle relays. Campana looks forward to seeing his teammates continue improving this season.

“While I’ve been injured, I’ve been able to sit on the pool deck and watch everyone get better and train hard, so I’m excited to see what everyone else can do,” Campana said.