Jan. 30, 2002

Southern California...picture a warm sun and blues skies. That's exactly what the Illini swim team tried to do every time we climbed out of our Mission Viejo pool and into the freezing cold air. We did this twice a day (6-8am, 5-7pm) for two weeks.

Every year college swim teams from across the country take training trips to escape distractions and work hard. It's also an opportunity to get to know your teammates better and do some bonding.

Here's a peak into our trip - "You think you know, but you have no idea," MTV Diaries.

December 27, 2001, 11:00 am (temp. 63?):
Illini land at Orange County airport very excited. I pull out my new sunglasses foolishly thinking I will be able to wear them during our trip. Check in to hotel and get roommate assignments. I'm with freshman Amanda Bordwell (a.k.a. Bordie, love ya Roomie!)

December 29, 2001, 5:00 pm (temp. 60?, drizzle):
Start of practice. Look to side of pool to see trainers in winter hats and coats.

7:00 pm (temp. 48?, raining...harder):
The team just had an awesome practice. Throughout the year we repeat the same sets to measure our improvement. Tonight the mid-distance swimmers did 21 100-meter freestyles. As a group we were faster than we have ever been, very encouraging.

December 30, 2001, 5:30 am (temp. 60?):
Van etiquette...is this a swimmer thing or does anyone who frequently travels in a 15-passenger van know about it?. It's like this. The first person in the van climbs all the way back and sits in the corner, then keep loading the van back to front. Special exceptions can be made for upperclassmen, "shotgun" is irrelevant because senior Jen Peters usually gets there first. Freshmen who are not familiar with van etiquette must learn quickly.

8:30 am:
Fellow guests and the employees at the Residence Inn look a little scared as 23 starving female athletes storm the breakfast area. It's a race to the bagels and wheat toast...okay, donuts and Fruit Loops.

9:00 am:
Nap time!!!!! Very sacred daily ritual.

Noon:
During the days we do some sort of activity, go to a traditional mall, an outdoor mall, or the beach...that has shops. On the days we stay in our rooms to rest I catch up on Oprah, Full House, and Sponge Bob Square Pants. Bordie reads Harry Potter--very popular among the team.

January 1, 2002 (temp. 65?):
Illini have the day off practice. Spent the afternoon at the amazing San Diego Zoo. We saw tons of cool animals including panda bears. Check out the very cool polar bear cam the zoo has.

8:49 pm: After several amazing comeback attempts, I am officially too disappointed to keep watching the Sugar Bowl, Bordie and I turn to a rerun of celebrity Fear Factor.

January 6, 2002: Yesterday was our first meet in almost six weeks. Today we compete again at a relay-only meet. Despite a few relay disqualifications, the Illini didn't give up. We swim hard and finish 2nd out of 11 teams. The day is highlighted by meet records in the 3 x 100 backstroke, progressive 800-Free and 400-Medley Relays. (BONUS: beautiful day!)

January 7, 2002 (temp. who cares!): Another off day.

5:31 am:
Our group of 12 (led by coach Steve) departs for Hollywood to attend The Price Is Right! Senior Ashley Braun makes-up a Price Is Right cheer!

8:40 am:
Have been waiting at P.I.R. for two hours only to learn we are on stand-by. We're told to come back at 11 am, trying to keep our spirits high.

11:08 am:
Hurrah! Made it on the show, there is lots of clapping and cheering. We get our nametags that look like price tags, I can barely contain myself!

12:55 pm:
Enter the P.I.R. studio after more waiting and a short interview process. The studio is very small, the aisles contestants run down seem much longer on TV.

1:15 pm:
Bob Barker spots our group in the audience and calls us HOOSIERS!? I raise my hand and correct him--I talked to BOB BARKER!

1:40pm:
"Amy Downing, come on down!" That's right, our own freshman, Amy Downing, was on the Price Is Right. Amy bids heroically, but alas, does not make it on stage. We are very proud of her and she did get some nice parting gifts (show will air February 15th).

6:00pm: Arrive back at hotel, day has been a total triumph.

January 9, 2002:
Ended the trip today with an excellent meet against #11 UCLA. The team really stepped up and had some amazing swims, winning six of 16 events against a very good team. The highlight of the meet was three Illini divers qualifying for the NCAA regional meet. Looking forward to going back to Champaign and swimming fast!