Feb. 24, 2007

by Sam Miller, Illinois Athletic Media Relations

Seems like spring break and warm weather can't come soon enough these days in central Illinois! In this edition, "Ripples, Waves and Splashes, Oh, My!" asked the team to share their thoughts on tanning.

Senior Jackie Bain, Diving: Laying out is a good break because it is really relaxing. You can escape into a good book, your own thoughts and dreams, or into dreamland.

Junior Meghan Bradley, IM/Back: I love to lay out! It's so relaxing. It's a good break from the hard practices we endure. Plus, we have to work on the incredible tan lines we get from our practice suits, caps, and goggles so we don't look totally freakish.

Sophomore Marissa Clapp, IM/Breast/Back: I love to lay out and tan, but it gets boring. So I usually alternate leisure swimming and tanning if I am by a pool in my free time.

Senior Meghan Farrell, Free/Back: Well, I'm a little Irish girl, so laying out trying to tan has never really been my thing. I say if you are at a beach and there are some good waves to body surf in, it does not matter how sore you are or how much you already swam that day, get out there and have fun. If I do sit by a pool or on the beach, I need a good book to read, otherwise I am extremely tempted to get in.

Senior Michelle Grandcolas, Free/Fly: I LOVE laying out! Any break from swimming is a well earned break! We practice a lot and work really hard, so I think we deserve it. Hahaha!

Michelle Grandcolas

Freshman Ann Nowak, Free/Breast/IM: I am all for laying out. Everyone needs some time to relax; if I had time I would be laying out all the time!

Senior Becca Poetz, Free: Um, I'd definitely have to agree that when you are outside at a pool, you should be lying out and getting the best tan that you can. I'm all about the tan. In my opinion, swim workouts are for the inside pool, while relaxing and having fun are for the outdoor pool.

Senior Jessica Rothenberg, IM/Breast/Fly: If I am with my friends on a beach or by the pool side, I love to just relax and lay out. It is sometimes nice to go to a pool/beach and not have to worry about working out. But I am also a very active person, so I cannot sit and lay by the water all day, especially if there is stuff to do like water skiing, jet skiing, sand volleyball, etc.

Freshman Nikki Spillone, Diving: I like to lay out by the pool when it's nice outside because it's relaxing. I do like being active and swimming in the pool too, but sometimes it's nice to relax and lay by the pool and even get a nice tan while you're at it!