Swimming And Diving Aims For Third Straight Conference Title
The Lady Flames swimming and diving team will be looking to win its third straight conference title when it hosts the Costal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA) Championship Feb. 15-17.
Unlike normal seasons, the Lady Flames little opportunity to prepare for the CCSA Championship by competing in other meets.
“The biggest challenge was the lack of competition,” junior diver Lauren Chennault said. “It’s kind of like a warmup before you actually compete in the one big competition. It’s been really tough, but everyone’s getting through it.”
Despite the lack of opportunity to compete in the pool, Head Coach Jake Shellenberger still has the same expectations for the championship that he’s had in past seasons.
“We expect to win,” Shellenberger said. “That’s what champions do. I expect to threepeat and defend our title. I expect people to have their best times and see their best scores up there on the boards.”
Senior swimmer Payton Keiner, who was named a CCSA All-American last season, shares the same expectations, even though COVID-19 regulations have made it difficult to prepare. Along with a limited schedule, the team has had to use two different locker rooms, spread out as much as possible and transition to mostly remote learning.
“We’re keeping our spirits up,” Keiner said. “We have to be thankful, stay positive, and remind ourselves how blessed we are. I just want to see everyone enjoy their time, do their best, and be prepared.”
After winning the last two CCSA championships, the Lady Flames won all three of their CCSA meets this season, making up Liberty’s second undefeated regular season in program history.
The Flames will not have to travel far to see if they can defend their consecutive titles. The Liberty Natatorium will serve as the host site for the 2021 championship for the first time since 2019 and only the second time in program history. However, most of the 1,400 seats for spectators will be empty as the conference has prohibited fans from watching the meet due to COVID-19 concerns.
New conference regulations are not the only thing the Flames have to worry about. Defending consecutive conference titles comes with its own internal pressure, especially since the Flames are competing at their home pool.
The championship will also include a tough matchup against Florida Gulf Coast. Since Davidson College won the CCSA Championship in 2008, the Lady Flames and FGCU have traded wins for the past 12 years, with FGCU leading 9-3. Liberty has won the last two matchups in the championship round.
Shellenberger and his team are not worried, however. They believe training and the team’s hard work will translate to a third straight championship victory.
“We work and practice to not think at a meet,” Shellenberger said. “(The team) just have to do what we trained them to do and let their minds and bodies go on autopilot. Not thinking too much about it, but letting their bodies perform.”
“We’re comfortable here,” Keiner said, referencing Liberty’s home pool. “We practice here 20 hours a week. We know this pool in and out.”
After a season of quarantining, limited competition and new regulations, a third straight CCSA Championship title is just what the team needs to make it all worth it.
“With everything we’ve been through this year, it will mean a lot,” Chennault said. “In such a little amount of time, we’ve had to push so hard. It will be nice to see all that hard work pay off.”
The Lady Flames will compete for their third CCSA Championship at the Liberty Natatorium Feb. 15-17.
Sarah Tate is a Sports Reporter.