Winter training trips for the Minnesota women's swim team is a tradition, dating back to 1970s when Jean Freeman first began as head coach. In past years the team has traveled to the various islands of Hawaii. This year all 39 members of the team and caching staff spent sixteen days on the biggest island, Kona, and had one of the most successful training trips in recent years.

"This training trip is a way for the girls to take two weeks away from school, family, work and friends and concentrate on their athleticism," explains Freeman.

Freeman believes that this training trip was such a success because everyone was prepared to work hard and they came together as a team. "The attitude of the team this year compared to last year is so much better, and there seems to be a lot more maturity." said Freeman. "They fell apart a bit at Big Tens last year, so everyone said they were going to work together to make a change, and they definitely did."

Dana Baum, senior captain, along with other upperclassmen are the leaders on the team and they were great motivators in Hawaii. Coach Freeman believes that the combination of experienced freshmen and the leadership of the seniors really made this team unite and train well.

"Everyone steps into their role when needed, and I think that is why we have been training so well," added Baum. "Our training trip has helped us be more willing to be a team and now each of us has the mindset that it's not just my practice, it's our practice."

Many of the women were not strangers to the intense training trip in paradise. "When I was a freshman I was a little scared because I heard about how tough it was. But now that I am a senior I have learned that if you go into this trip knowing that is going to be a challenge, then there is nothing you can't handle," said Shanna Gustafson.

However there were some freshmen who were a little unsure of what to expect. "People talked the trip up, so I knew it wasn't some vacation and that we were there to improve and get better as a team," explained freshman Katie Wind. "But I think it turned out to be a lot more fun then I expected. Everyone seemed to have a great time and no one was crabby like I thought they would be."

Everyone on the team trained for five hours a day. Each practice usually emphasized on aerobics because finals week usually pushes them back in the month of December. However, the team trained very well in the month of December and had the highest GPA in recent years. Their efforts were rewarded with two days off while on the island. Coach Freeman wanted the women to experience travel and these two free days gave them that opportunity. Many of the girls had the chance to surf, snorkel, parasail, go whale watching and participate in daily activities that allowed them to get to know the island and the locals.

Coach Freeman is proud of the unity and motivation the Minnesota swim team brought back from Hawaii. They are all confident in their dedication and determination as a team and are looking forward to their future success. "These training trips not only prepare us physically, but they provide so many side benefits that are just as important," Freeman adds.

In addition to the swim team traveling to Hawaii, Head Coach Kongzheng Li led the diving team to China for the first time. It was the first time that a foreign team, in any sport, was allowed to train at the Chinese National Training Center. The divers spent a little over two weeks in Beijing, China; where they trained and had the opportunity to see the sights of a different country. Coach Li believes that China is the best place in the world for divers to train and it also offers the best divers in the world. Therefore, Coach Li is happy that his divers were able to have such a valuable experience as collegiate athletes.

"The purpose of this training trip is to get the athletes away from their everyday surroundings, get them into shape, and focus on training," says Coach Li. "I want each diver to learn something new everyday and to have fun doing it."

China is said to be the best place in the world for diving, and Coach Li believes that a major reason for that recognition is due to their facilities. "China has the very best training facilities and you couldn't ask for anything better," Coach Li explains. "This group is very lucky because the diving team has the opportunity to train internationally once every four years, so this was a special year for the team."

Coach Li and Coach Freeman had similar plans for their teams going into their winter training trips, which was not only concentrate on swimming and diving, but to come together as a team. Coach Li encouraged his divers to sight see and learn more about China's culture, which he thought would be an important experience to share as a team.

"I brought them to the marketplace and taught them some techniques on how to bargain, I think they enjoyed it," Coach Li added.

The swimmers and divers for the University of Minnesota were miles apart during the month of January. However, both teams were able to participate in successful winter training trips that allowed them to have some fun and become physically and mentally stronger as a team.

Written by Media Relations Student Assistant Jessica Fleischmann. Winter training trips for the Minnesota women's swim team is a tradition, dating back to 1970s when Jean Freeman first began as head coach. In past years the team has traveled to the various islands of Hawaii. This year all 39 members of the team and caching staff spent sixteen days on the biggest island, Kona, and had one of the most successful training trips in recent years.

"This training trip is a way for the girls to take two weeks away from school, family, work and friends and concentrate on their athleticism," explains Freeman.

Freeman believes that this training trip was such a success because everyone was prepared to work hard and they came together as a team. "The attitude of the team this year compared to last year is so much better, and there seems to be a lot more maturity." said Freeman. "They fell apart a bit at Big Tens last year, so everyone said they were going to work together to make a change, and they definitely did."

Dana Baum, senior captain, along with other upperclassmen are the leaders on the team and they were great motivators in Hawaii. Coach Freeman believes that the combination of experienced freshmen and the leadership of the seniors really made this team unite and train well.

"Everyone steps into their role when needed, and I think that is why we have been training so well," added Baum. "Our training trip has helped us be more willing to be a team and now each of us has the mindset that it's not just my practice, it's our practice."

Many of the women were not strangers to the intense training trip in paradise. "When I was a freshman I was a little scared because I heard about how tough it was. But now that I am a senior I have learned that if you go into this trip knowing that is going to be a challenge, then there is nothing you can't handle," said Shanna Gustafson.

However there were some freshmen who were a little unsure of what to expect. "People talked the trip up, so I knew it wasn't some vacation and that we were there to improve and get better as a team," explained freshman Katie Wind. "But I think it turned out to be a lot more fun then I expected. Everyone seemed to have a great time and no one was crabby like I thought they would be."

Everyone on the team trained for five hours a day. Each practice usually emphasized on aerobics because finals week usually pushes them back in the month of December. However, the team trained very well in the month of December and had the highest GPA in recent years. Their efforts were rewarded with two days off while on the island. Coach Freeman wanted the women to experience travel and these two free days gave them that opportunity. Many of the girls had the chance to surf, snorkel, parasail, go whale watching and participate in daily activities that allowed them to get to know the island and the locals.

Coach Freeman is proud of the unity and motivation the Minnesota swim team brought back from Hawaii. They are all confident in their dedication and determination as a team and are looking forward to their future success. "These training trips not only prepare us physically, but they provide so many side benefits that are just as important," Freeman adds.

In addition to the swim team traveling to Hawaii, Head Coach Kongzheng Li led the diving team to China for the first time. It was the first time that a foreign team, in any sport, was allowed to train at the Chinese National Training Center. The divers spent a little over two weeks in Beijing, China; where they trained and had the opportunity to see the sights of a different country. Coach Li believes that China is the best place in the world for divers to train and it also offers the best divers in the world. Therefore, Coach Li is happy that his divers were able to have such a valuable experience as collegiate athletes.

"The purpose of this training trip is to get the athletes away from their everyday surroundings, get them into shape, and focus on training," says Coach Li. "I want each diver to learn something new everyday and to have fun doing it."

China is said to be the best place in the world for diving, and Coach Li believes that a major reason for that recognition is due to their facilities. "China has the very best training facilities and you couldn't ask for anything better," Coach Li explains. "This group is very lucky because the diving team has the opportunity to train internationally once every four years, so this was a special year for the team."

Coach Li and Coach Freeman had similar plans for their teams going into their winter training trips, which was not only concentrate on swimming and diving, but to come together as a team. Coach Li encouraged his divers to sight see and learn more about China's culture, which he thought would be an important experience to share as a team.

"I brought them to the marketplace and taught them some techniques on how to bargain, I think they enjoyed it," Coach Li added.

The swimmers and divers for the University of Minnesota were miles apart during the month of January. However, both teams were able to participate in successful winter training trips that allowed them to have some fun and become physically and mentally stronger as a team.

Written by Media Relations Student Assistant Jessica Fleischmann.