Claire Voltarel, Campus Carrier Asst. Sports Editor

Video by Katie White, Viking Fusion Reporter

The swim and dive team earned second place at Berry’s own Viking Classic, giving them momentum for the home stretch of their season. 

Along with the team’s overall second place title, senior Hayley Brown and freshman Dylan White were named SAA Swimmers of the Week for their performance at the meet. Both competing in seven events, Brown tied for high point-scorer of the meet, and White tied for second highest point-scorer. 

Their weekend success helped push for the final part of the season, according to senior swimmer Will Walker. 

“We had some really fast swims showing that we are preparing for conference well,” Walker said.

This last home event gave the team an opportunity to compete against Birmingham Southern College, who they will face again in the SAA Conference Championship on Feb. 14-17 in Birmingham, Ala. According to Walker, BSC was a great competition for the Vikings leading into this Conference Championship due to their conference win last year. 

Swimmers and divers pushed hard during the past winter training, however leading up to the Viking Classic and the conference championship, they began to taper at practice. With later starts and less weight or yardage, Sarah Pierce sees the Viking Classic as their last stop before their end goal. 

“They wanted to give us a chance to see how far we have come this season and how our hard work is about to pay off at conference,” Pierce said. “It definitely gave me a boost of confidence to see results from everything I’ve done all season.”

Walker noted that some swimmers feel a little anxiety during the taper from fatigue, but in the last few days of the three-week slow down, they will all start moving increasingly faster. 

However, both Pierce and Walker said the positive energy and encouragement are beginning to manifest. 

“It’s really easy to get discouraged with a sport like swimming because it’s so much work,” Pierce said. “But when you see how far you’ve come it makes it totally worth it.”