Swim team travels for a back-to-back

This Friday the Oregon State University women's swim team will be racing against Washington State University in Pullman, Wash. and the University of Idaho the following morning in Moscow, Idaho.

Last January the Beavers beat the Idaho Vandals with a score of 111.50 to 93.50, but fell to the Cougars 156 to 106.

"It's stressful because we will be swimming one night and then we have to be ready the next morning.  They don't get as much rest as we would hope, but it gets us ready for Pac-12," said head coach Larry Liebowitz.

The Pac-12 Championships take place over four consecutive days (Feb. 22-25).

"I think that everyone's looking forward to the end of the season because we have been working so hard since September.  I think it's kind of crazy that [Pac-12 Championships] are here in less than a month and we're excited," said junior Allison Gillespie, who will be racing in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 free and relays for the Beavers at both meets.

This is the last weekend for the Beavers to perform until the Pac-12 Championships, but it is unlikely that their race times will be an indicator of their Pac-12 performances due to the heavy amount of training they've done recently.  

"They will get a lot better because we're still working pretty hard, and in swimming you don't go really fast until you rest," Leibowtiz said.

"I'm definitely sore right now. Every race is a battle of the will and adrenaline, so hopefully that will carry me through," said freshman Amy Herbst.  

Natasha Raines, sports writer

sports@dailybarometer.com