In a sports conversation at Northwestern University, it’s unlikely that the names of varsity swimmers like junior Ellen Grigg and senior Chris Doman will ever be mentioned.
But as the Big Ten Championships approach, the swimming team’s schedule is just as hectic as that of any other winter sport. February 24 marks the beginning of the championships, four days of non-stop grueling races and competitions. With the games so close, coaches have begun to “taper” their swimmer’s schedules. The aim is to give the swimmers a chance to get more rest so their bodies will be in top shape at the championship.
“We’re starting to take off a few morning practices so we can sleep more,” says Doman, 21.
For 20-year-old Grigg, tapering means she gets a little extra time for physical therapy. Tendonitis in her left shoulder means Grigg spends some of afternoon practice in rehabilitation.
The team has been training since September, competing since late October and worrying about their diets since the year has begun. Tapering is a method of giving a swimmer’s body the chance to recover after such a stressful training season in the pool and the weight room.
Some swimmers, especially those who live off-campus, try to schedule their classes back-to-back so they can head back home and take a 45-minute nap before going back to the Sports Pavilion and Aquatic Center for another two-hour practice. Others, like Doman, don’t have that luxury. With classes that don’t end until three, the only break he gets is the hour-long gap between classes. That is just enough time for him to eat lunch.
Grigg’s schedule is not as packed. She is able to fit in an hour of sleep on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays because her classes finish at 11 a.m.
“I usually have lunch, then take a 45-minute nap, then get up to do homework,” she says. Afterwards, it’s back to SPAC at 3 p.m. (2:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays).
The women’s team is 8-4 in the season, winning first place in all three days of the TYR Invitational, a meet hosted by Northwestern at the Norris Aquatics Center. The men’s team is 4-8 winning second place in all three days of the invitational.