True Commitment: Your Pacific Swim Teams
Left to Right:
Paige Sondgeroth, Noemi Melendez, and Aidan Scott
Winter break is not the only time the Tigers showcase their dedication. No surprise, it’s paying off.
The Tigers of the water, the Pacific men’s and women’s swim team, are off to a roaring start this season. To thank are the athletes’ work ethics. From completing hours-long practices before the sun comes up to devotedly partaking in double days, and even training trips over Winter break, the Tiger team knows what it takes to achieve their goals. With emphasis on the foundation of the team, in and out of the water, post-pandemic, the team is beginning to reap the benefits. As the season progresses, the details continue to come together. With the Tigers’ training amounting, their ceiling rises.
On the men’s side, the team returns depth, boasting many upper-classmen, and a graduate student too. Thus far, the team has a 3-3 record, dropping contests to CSU Bakersfield, California Baptist, and Stanford, one of last year’s National Championship contenders. However, their season began just as one would hope, with two back-to-back wins against UC Santa Cruz and Fresno Pacific. Coming off the winter break, the Tigers are looking to find this momentum yet again, as they continue to build into their conference championships, as well as the National Invitational Championship in March. To note, also included in their 2023-2024 slate were the Utah Tech Winter Invite and the UNLV Invitational, where the men were fifth out of seven teams.
Also a multi-talented roster, the women’s team only has two seniors, albeit surprising in relation to their success so far. Opening the season with a loss on the road at Cal State East Bay, the Tigers rallied to find success in the lanes versus both UC Santa Cruz and Fresno Pacific. Currently, they boast a 3-4 record, adding a statement victory over Simon Fraser on Senior Day. The squad also gained competition experience at both the Utah Tech Invite and UNLV Invite. Rounding out their season, the Tigers hit the road before traveling to Utah at the end of February for their conference championships. A fairly young roster, their record is rooted in their collective commitment and drive to achieve chlorinated greatness.
To learn more about the commitment and dedication it takes to be a Division I swimmer at your University of the Pacific, read on to hear from three of the athletes directly: Noemi Melendez and Paige Sondgeroth, the women’s team captains, as well as Aidan Scott, one of the captains on the men’s side.
What does your training schedule look like between finals week and when the spring semester starts?
“Following finals week we competed in a three-day meet at UNLV and continued training in Las Vegas for four days following the meet. While home, I trained 1-2 times a day both in the pool and in the gym. We arrived back on campus January 4th and will be training 1-2 times a day through the start of the spring semester in addition to competing in a dual meet January 14th.”
- Sondgeroth
“While home we were expected to practice 8 times from the 23rd to the 4th plus lift 5 times. I practiced 9 days over that period and I took off Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve.” - Scott
While you’re home, did you feel pressured to train?
“While I was home I did feel pressured to train because with our MPSF Conference Championship only 7 weeks away when we return to campus, training over the break is essential for setting yourself up for success. I want to make sure I do everything I can to perform my best for the team.” - Sondgeroth
“I did not feel pressured to train over break because I committed to a division 1 program so I expected to have to fulfill certain requirements. Also, I enjoy getting a work out in so, I would go for my enjoyment as well.” - Melendez
How do you balance training and rest over break? Do you feel that it takes away from the holiday in any way?
“While home, it was more stressful having to balance training with random pool hours and unique family situations. While on campus for the last two weeks, it was very relaxing being able to focus on swimming and lifting. As far as the holiday activities with my family, I did feel comfortable scheduling my activities in swimming and my family.” - Melendez
“To me personally, balancing training and rest over the winter break is the easiest time of the entire season due to not having school to worry about. Training does take away from my ability to go on vacation with my family though.” - Scott
How has your commitment to swim been rewarding throughout your college experience?
“My commitment to swim has been rewarding in so many ways but the biggest is that I get to do the sport I love with my best friends. The team at Pacific is and always will be a second family to me and seeing them succeed in the sport alongside me makes all of the sacrifices well worth it.”
- Sondgeroth
“Through my time here, I have grown as an athlete and a leader. My commitment to the team has given me an opportunity to become the captain of the women’s team, learn discipline, and time management, and achieve the goals I have in and out of the pool. I am forever grateful for the friendships and connections I have made on this team so that on its own makes it all worth it.”
- Melendez
“I have always been an athlete that needs to be extremely disciplined and consistent in my training and I have been very fortunate to see a direct impact of that in my improvements in my times throughout my past few years in college.” - Scott
Last but not least, catch both of your Tigers’ Swim Teams back in action at the UCSB Invite in Santa Barbara, California on February 2nd!!