The season is quickly wrapping up, but members of The University of Alabama swimming and diving teams still have something left to prove.
Swimmers and divers who have already qualified for nationals will stay home this weekend to rest up. For those who do compete, the Bulldog Last Chance Meet in Athens, Georgia will give them just what the name implies – one last chance.
This meet is different than previous ones because of where it falls on the calendar. This weekend marks the middle of championship season, which means the athletes competing in Athens will be doing so as individuals instead of as a team.
Junior Alec Scott said the individual nature of the meet should not have a significant impact on the results. He said he is going there to compete just like it is any other meet.
“When it comes down to it, it’s just you that’s got to perform,” he said.
Coach Dennis Pursley said this an important weekend for the athletes who are competing. He said all of the athletes competing at the Bulldog meet have something to prove. This meet gives every competitor the opportunity to see how much they have progressed since the beginning of the season. The weekend could also change the team’s outlook on the NCAA Championships.
“It [Bulldog Invitational] is a last chance opportunity, for swimmers and divers for that matter, who have just fallen short of the performances required to qualify for the NCAA championships,” Pursley said.
Swimmers and divers who hit the necessary marks this weekend will earn a spot in the approaching national championship. Other athletes participate in the Last Chance Invitational with different goals in mind. Some athletes use this meet to set themselves up for bigger roles next year.
“It’s an opportunity to show their developments, that they will have a better chance of contributing more next year,” Scott said.
Even with national championships looming on the horizon it is never too early to begin thinking about next year. Scott said he hopes he can capitalize on the opportunity the Last Chance meet provides.
“I am hoping to do some times that will impress coaches for next year,” he said.
