Though they hardly had a long Winter Break like their classmates, the swim teams certainly had an eventful few weeks.
Returning on December 29 to commence the second phase of its competitive season, Bowdoin swimmers from across the country converged in Brunswick armed with determination.
From New Years' celebrations to community dinners with the Friends of Bowdoin, the swim team shared many experiences outside of the water that helped forge a closer-knit group.
In the pool, training reached its peak intensity. With yardage and speed work at its highest, the swimmers buckled down in order to prepare themselves for a meet against rival Bates on Saturday, January 17.
A strong early performance by Bates in the women's 400-yard medley relay and 1000-yard freestyle presented a large challenge for the women's team.
However, battling back with first place finishes from Caitlin Callahan '11 in the 100- and 200-yard breastroke, Allison Palmer '11 in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle, Allen Garner '12 in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle, Megan Sullivan '11 in the 100-yard butterfly and Emma Chiappetta '11 in the 200-yard butterfly, the women's team eventually edged out the Lady Bobcats with a score of 147-142.
Sullivan spoke about the team's resilience. "After the first two events you could sense a mixed reaction of excitement and anxiety," she said. "However, it was exhilarating to see us pull together and rally."
On the men's side, the competition was not as tight. Although the Bates men's team has improved dramatically due to an influx of speedy first years, the Bowdoin men got the job done, winning the meet 179-105.
The men's team's victory was highlighted by wins by Mac Routh '12 in the 100-yard Butterfly, Max Goldstein '09 in the 400-yard IM, Zach Perez in the 100- and 200-meter breastroke, Nathan Mecray '12 in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle and the 400 among other numerous victories.
Although the men's side was not as close, inspiration was easily found in the ranks of Bowdoin males in an unlikely form.
For years, Ian Wandner '09 has battled with chronic shoulder injuries. Last November, these injuries took a turn for the worse, rendering Wandner unable to practice at the normal capacity with the team for most of his senior year.
Doing what he could to stay in shape while nursing the injury, Wandner has been attending practice in a quasi-coaching capacity in order to assist the team in any way he could.
On the morning of the Bates meet, little had improved. The shoulder injury still rendered him unable to compete in his normal butterfly events. Yet, out of this shroud of disappointment blossomed an idea.
Despite not diving in any formal competition for over seven years, Wandner quickly read up on the NCAA diving manual and in less than an hour he had brushed up on six legal dives.
With the confidence that only a senior can have, he dove during the Bates meet and astounded everyone by winning the men's one-meter diving competition.
Although Wandner's points were not necessary for the Bowdoin men's victory, his performance created a rallying point inspiring later performances in the Bates meet.
The Bowdoin swimmers look forward to challenging University of Maine next Saturday in Orono, and then hosting Wesleyan and Trinity at home the following week.
"The team did exactly what they needed to do to win the Bates meet," Coach Brad Burnham said. "I was very proud of their efforts and it made me excited about the next few weeks."