Cochrane Winter Invite Recap

The Cochrane Winter Invitational was full of fun, fast swimming, and important experiences for TREX swimmers. For many, it was their first time in an unfamiliar facility, adjusting to a different touch pad configuration, different starting blocks and different rules for exiting from the pool. Some learned that when there are two sessions in a meet on the same day that yes, you do need to warm up for the second session!  

The relays were quick and exciting at the beginning of the afternoon session, and the individual events saw some big best times and one new Festival qualifier. There were disqualifications due to backstroke turns, false starts, and non-simultaneous touches on breaststroke. There were some first-time 100 butterfly races and some 50s and 100s swum just at or a bit slower than best times, showing consistency, even if frustrating.

Throughout the season, it becomes clearer and clearer to the swimmers that the changes they make and commit to in training really do pay off in a meet. For example, we saw some TREX swimmers holding firm streamlines off a start and gliding well underwater before dolphin kicks or a breaststroke pullout, then coming up in the lead. The same great streamline technique holds true off of turns. Head and body position is key when you want to move forward fast. Speed and endurance are so greatly enhanced by improved technique off the walls, and pushing off the wall well is one element that swimmers have between 60 and 80 opportunities to work on in EVERY PRACTICE SESSION. Let's keep it up TREX.  

The Cochrane Comets hosted a great meet, and with the help of many UCSC volunteer officials, the swimmers (and the coaches!) were super well supported. Taking the time to go over disqualifications with the swimmers in real time, helping the swimmers behind the blocks, abundant hospitality and a well-run meet. Thanks Comets!  and great job DINOS.