FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. 1/4/14 – Known for their
strong performances in the pool, the Keene State College swim team
showed they can handle the Ocean as well, competing in the 45th
Annual International Swimming Hall of Fame rough water race in Fort
Lauderdale on Saturday.
A pair of KSC All-Americas did a nice job navigating their way
through choppy Atlantic Ocean waters in the one mile race. Senior
Drew Ledwith of Keene, N.H. won the race while sophomore teammate
Shahar Resman was second. Senior Alexis Houser from New Hope,
Pa., was the top finisher for the KSC women's team.
“It was real choppy, but we all survived, said
senior Jared Hyde of Tolland, about the race that included teams
from Miami-Ohio, James Madison and LEC rival Eastern Conn.
“It was a lot different than being in the pool, but it a lot
of fun.”
“It was pretty rough out there. The waves were
gigantic,” said teammate James Norris (Ansonia, Conn.).
“We worked together to fight through it.”
“The water was really rough, but overall it was a really
good experience,” said senior Tyler Tallcouch (Seymour,
Conn.) “We stayed in little groups and people
helped each other get through the race.”
Following the men's race, some of the KSC women were a
little reluctant about racing.
“I was really nervous,” said sophomore Olivia
Gallugi (Reading, Mass.) “They lined us all up at the
beginning and a bunch of the boys went in to warm up and told us
there were a lot of jellyfish and they all got stung. So all the
girls of course were panicking and freaking out and saying they
didn't want to do it. We finally got in and everyone stuck
with it and did really well.”
“It was a character-building race,” said sophomore
Katherine Brady (Biddeford, Maine). “A lot of us
got knocked over by waves but we stuck together. All the
time, I was wishing I was in the pool doing a set.”
The Keene State swim team will wrap up its Florida training week
on Wednesday, Jan. 8 with a dual meet against New York
University. “Coach (Jack) Fabian is keeping us
busy,” said Tallcouch. “We have a real good
facility and everyone is training hard. We're getting a lot
out of it.”
“Training is going real well,” said Brady.
“We're all getting in good shape. We're all sore
and tired, but it will be worth it in the
end.”
