FORT PIERCE, FLA. - The Keene State men's and women's swim teams escaped the bad weather in the Monadnock region by spending last week in Fort Pierce, Fla.

The Owls had daily workouts, which included dry-land training every morning and two-hour sessions in the pool twice a day. "It was a very productive week," said KSC Coach Jack Fabian. "I try to challenge the athletes in a different format and environment. They rose to the occasion and helped each other out, which enhanced team bonding."

Keene State got an opportunity on Wednesday to gauge its progress with a dual meet against Alma College of Michigan and Indian River State College, a highly successful junior-college program that competes against top Division I schools. Both teams had split results in the pool. The Keene State men (5-4) defeated Alma College (150.50-76.50) and lost to Indian River (130-99). The Owl women (3-4) won 145-79 against Alma and lost to Indian River 154-77.

Sophomore Dan Theleen (Southbury, Conn.) won the 500 free (4:54.13), and junior Domingo Rose (Nashua, N.H.) posted a first-place finish (1:01.00) in the 100 breast. Juniors Jackie Foster (Bedford, N.H.) and Alea Paddock (Newbury, N.H.) had a pair of second-place performances. Foster was the runner up in the 200 free (2:02.94) and 500 free (5:29.61), and Paddock was second in the 200 IM (2:18.01) and 100 breast (1:10.79). Freshman Jillian Whitaker (Gilford, N.H.) also turned in second-place finishes in the 50 free (26.02) and the 100 free (55.97) races.

Following the holiday break, the Owl women host rival Plymouth State at Spaulding Gym Pool on Wednesday, January 14, at 5 p.m.