Swim Team Sticks to Preparation Approach, Begins Long-Awaited Competition Season With Two Wins

Given the uncertainty of 2020, it can be hard to predict or even prepare for the future. But when it comes to coaching the Liberty swimming and diving team, Head Coach Jake Shellenberger doesn’t see need for major change.

“The short answer is no,” Shellenberger said in a video call when asked if he was taking any new angles to coaching during this unique season. “And I know that might sound odd, or different. But with so much change, and so much uncertainty, we thought it best to coach just as we normally would.”

“Obviously everything else out there has changed. So we thought, for the sake of normalcy and sanity, to coach the same way we always have,” Shellenberger continued. 

COVID-19 rules and regulations may affect the way practices look, as masks are worn while not in the water and distancing is enforced, but consistency in what he can control is Shellenberger’s focus. 

“As far as protocols, we’re not allowed to use the locker rooms, we have to split up. There’s a whole list, there’s a four-page document of things we’re doing differently as far as logistics go. But the actual in-water coaching hasn’t changed. The nuts and bolts of the coaching, we’re not doing anything different.”

“The swimming part remains the same,” freshman Raea Farquharson said.

But preparing for the competition this season would bring posed a challenge. The team hadn’t competed in eight months. 

“We were able to train all summer,” Shellenberger said, “We had seventeen (athletes) training here this summer. There’s a difference, though, in swimming, and even diving. There’s a difference between being able to train, staying in good training shape, and then racing shape. You can train all day long – but racing is different. If you’re not used to racing, it can be a challenge. It’s like football. You can lift weights, and you can practice, but game speed is different.” 

The training proved advantageous as it led Liberty to wins in both the meets they attended Oct. 23 and 24. The Lady Flames visited North Carolina to compete against UNC Asheville and Campbell on those respective days. 

The Lady Flames bested UNC Asheville by a 35-point margin, taking the meet 162-127. The following day saw Liberty topping Campbell by 24 points, a score of 142.5-118.5 – catapulting Liberty into a 2-0 record early on. 

“It was a really good experience. I’m just really grateful that we are able to travel as a team, and still compete, knowing that other schools aren’t able to this year,” freshman Maddie Freece said. “We’re very blessed that God has given us this opportunity.” 

Liberty is one of few schools contending this season, making the likelihood of meets and competitions uncertain. 

“For me, I’m just focusing on doing the best I can, for myself and for my team. I’m going to get used to the college experience, training and competing-wise,” Freece said. “Hopefully we’ll have a season, even with COVID, but it’s hard to say what it will look like. The future is not guaranteed but we’re just taking one day at a time and (being) thankful for every opportunity we have.”

Sarah Williams is a Sports Reporter. Follow her on Twitter at @sarahsaying.