Known for their record-breaking swimmers and recent state championship (thanks to the Girls Team), the Lincoln-Sudbury Swim and Dive (LSSD) team can typically be found practicing at the Atkinson town pool. However, due to ongoing renovations from December 11th to 26th, practices were temporarily moved. The much-anticipated renovations at Atkinson have been in the works for a while. The community center, established in 1983, expanded with the addition of the Atkinson pool in 1987 and the senior center in 1989. Initial attempts to renovate, including improvements to the pool, were unsuccessful. Subsequently, on December 2nd, 2021, the Select Board secured approval to construct a new building. Dedicated efforts in planning, overseeing, supervising, and constructing have been invested in the community center. Specifically for the LSSD team, renovations include the locker rooms, pool tiles, added windows, and improved lighting. The ongoing upgrades extend to the lobby area, encompassing office and guest viewing space enhancements.
While the swimmers and divers of LSSD usually present a united front, they found themselves temporarily separated during the two-week renovation period. Due to the challenge of securing pool lanes compared to dive wells, swimmers adjusted their practice times to the early morning: precisely 5:30 AM in neighboring town pools. Divers, on the other hand, managed to secure diving wells for their practices, at different locations and during their usual practice times. Despite this temporary practice shift, the team has maintained its cohesion by participating in meets together and organizing team-building activities. Notable team events include the team Yankee Swap and weekly pre-meet pasta parties, allowing the swimmers and divers to stay connected and supportive of each other during the renovation period.
With practices temporarily relocated from Atkinson, the coaches of LSSD have diligently sought alternative pools. The swim team has utilized facilities at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, Weston Middle School, and Beede Swim & Fitness Center in Concord. Practice times for the swimmers ranged from 5:30 am to 6:00 am starts and 7:00 am to 7:30 am ends. In contrast, divers had more availability when renting diving wells and were lucky to have their practices around the normal practice time. Following the morning practices, the swimmers were treated to a delightful array of breakfast foods, thoughtfully arranged by the parents of swimmers who were known as the “breakfast fairies”. This gesture added a touch of warmth and support to the team during the temporary transition.
The LS Swim and Dive team recently conducted a Google Form to gather opinions on morning practices. Among the 26 responses received, only one person expressed strong dislike, 10 found them okay, 13 liked the morning sessions, and 2 loved them. Members of the LS Swim and Dive team were asked about their feelings regarding practicing at Atkinson. The results revealed a balanced range of opinions, with half of the respondents expressing a clear sense of missing the facility, 11 individuals kind of missing the facility, and 2 respondents saying they did not miss practicing at Atkinson. Alongside adjusting to the new location and practice time, swimmers faced an additional challenge—balancing early morning practices with timely arrival at school. When asked if they ever arrived late due to early morning practices, the majority (18 people) responded with a firm no, 5 people said sometimes, and 2 people acknowledged arriving late on occasion. These results shed light on the varying experiences of the team in managing the early practice schedule alongside their school commitments. In the concluding survey question for LS swimmers, the focus was on the impact of morning practices on their sleep. Interestingly, all swimmers indicated that they regularly achieve 7 or more hours of sleep every night. However, when specifically asked about their sleep schedule with morning practices, 17 swimmers reported getting less than 7 hours of sleep each night.
In conclusion, the LSSD Team’s survey reflects a range of feelings towards the recent changes in practice times and locations. While the majority navigated the early mornings successfully, maintaining a balance between school commitments and athletic pursuits, the feedback underscores the unique challenges faced by each team member. The insights gathered highlight the team’s adaptability and resilience in the face of alterations to their routine emphasizing that the LSSD Team continues to make a collective effort to overcome obstacles and maintain a united front.
