KEENE, N.H. 12/30/13 - The Owls are flying south.  Keene State College men's and women's swim teams will leave tomorrow for their annual training trip in Florida. 

The trip has become a much-anticipated event for KSC swimmers and divers as they return to the pool following the holidays. “The trip jump starts the second half of the season,” said KSC Coach Jack Fabian.    “It's really been beneficial.  We work on conditioning and racing skills.” 

The Owls will spend seven days training at the St. Andrews School in Boca Raton, Florida as well as take part in a couple of competitions.  On Jan. 4, KSC will compete in the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) collegiate one mile open water swim.  The Owls are also scheduled to have a dual meet against New York University on January 8.  Keene State divers will also compete in a meet on Jan. 3 in Fort Lauderdale. 

“I'm really excited,” said Alison Bartlett, a sophomore from Stratham, N.H. “It's going to be tough, but it will be a good opportunity to improve my times. When I came back from Florida last year I felt a lot faster in the pool.”

“I'm looking forward to bonding with the team,' said Katherine Brady, a sophomore from Biddeford, Maine.  “It's eye-opening to see all the Division I swimmers at the pool.”  

“I had a virus last year so I didn't get a chance to go to Florida,' so I'm pumped about going on the trip this year,” said Olivia Gallugi, a sophomore from Reading, Mass. “We have a good time, but we also work real hard.  By the New England Championships everybody is going to be the best shape of the year.” 

Ranked 17th in the latest College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Team Poll, the Keene State men's team is returning to the pool after shattering several school records at the MIT Invitational.  The KSC women, who also received votes in the national rankings, are back training after capturing its eighth consecutive Little East Conference championship with a record 668 points.