With every stroke Guilford swimmers fight resistance ten times stronger than air and work almost every muscle in their body simultaneously. Incorporating cardio, resistance training, and aerobics, swimming is one of the most physically demanding sports, but receives the least amount of publicity.

On top of the already busy schedule of a student-athlete, the Guilford swim team faces their second season without an on-campus pool. Although some feel that the absence of a pool strengthens the team’s commitment, the consequences mean a smaller fan turn-out, commuting to workouts, borrowing pool time at Greensboro College and settling for early morning practices.

Bring it.

The Quakers are taking the challenge in stroke and hope to catch Guilford’s attention.

Preparing for an all-Conference relay on Oct. 23 and their first meet against Sweet Briar on Nov. 13, the loss of easy access to a pool has impacted the team’s preseason training. However, the absent pool is not a justified excuse for lack of exercise. Each athlete is still expected to be in game shape by the time the season starts.

“I’m doing the insanity workout,” said senior Kim Abbott. “It’s intense cardio and comes from the same line as P-90X. This is definitely getting me in shape and will hopefully help my swimming.”

The Quaker swim team has not let the lack of an on-campus pool detract from their workouts. The team feels the fans should not allow it to deter their excitement about the upcoming season, either.

“This season is going to be different,” said senior captain Daphne Murphy. “I’m excited to see how far we can take ourselves this season. There’s a lot more energy.”

Last year the team roster consisted of roughly 11 women. This year, the team hopes the roster will inflate to more than 20. Last season, the team placed seventh out of 10 teams in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, allowing room for improvement.

“I hope to build a strong team and hope that we exceed our expectations and times we want to make this season,” said Murphy. “We have an intense program because we want to push ourselves harder … than we did last year.”

Anticipation echoes throughout the rest of the team, as well.

“I hope to place well in the conference and make it to finals,” said sophomore Isabel Elliott. “I was out of shape last year and placed low but hopefully this season I’ll place high for my events. This season I’d also like to try some long distance as well.”

The team hopes their enthusiasm will be matched by their supporters.

“We’re still here, we’re still swimming, and we’d love to have people come see us,” said Murphy. “I’m excited about this season.”