Intensity has been the message WSU swimming Head Coach Tom Jager emphasized throughout this week’s practices. 

The Cougars made a statement in their last meet when they beat Idaho and overcame an initial 32-point deficit to earn their first victory of the season.  Now, the WSU swim team will have to carry that momentum to face a young Seattle University Redhawks team.

After a week off from competition, the Cougars will return to the pool in a dual meet against the Redhawks in Seattle.

One unique challenge Seattle poses is that both their men’s and women’s teams swim at the same meets.  Since WSU doesn’t have a men’s team, Seattle’s men’s team will compete in different heats. 

The approach against Seattle is the same as against USC and Idaho, Jager said. The coaches and staff are mentally and physically pushing the team early in the season, he said.   

“Even when they’re tired they (have to) swim fast,” Jager said. “That’s the difference in college than in club is that they can kind of go through a month without having a meet.  They have to do the same training (at WSU), but they have to swim fast in the meets.”  

Senior Emma Johansson continues to be the cornerstone and leader of the WSU team in relay events and in the individuals, where she finished as the second highest individual scorer against USC. However, junior Alison Mand is stepping up early in the season and establishing herself as one of premier top swimmers in the Pac-12.  Mand was also elected as team captain along with Johansson this week, Jager said. 

“Right behind Emma has been Ali Mand all year,” Jager said.  “Those second places, those close victories per second, which are wins especially in a dual meet because you (have to) get them, those are huge.  She won all her close races against Idaho and won a couple of close races against USC.” 

Freshman Haley Rose Love is another swimmer who stepped up this season as a leader.

This time of the year is more focused on preparation for the meets later in the season and the Pac-12 championships in February, Jager said.   

“This is the time of the year that you can’t get too high or too low,” Jager said.  “This is a training session part of the year, and so we (have to) maintain that professional attitude.  They’re actually responding to the hard work.”   

Jager said he doesn’t expect the Cougars to swim great against Seattle, but he still wants them to race tough. 

After the meet with Seattle, the Cougars will travel to Iowa City, Iowa to race in the Hawkeye Invitational Dec. 6-8.