Elon University’s club swim team hosted the largest club sports event at Elon University since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The turnout was much larger than in previous years, with 12 attending schools as opposed to previous turnout of four or five. This follows a year without any in-person club swim meets.
“I feel like it's very big to have that first meet coming back,” Freshman Todd Williams said. “It's a great opportunity for us to show that we are here and we are a club sport that should be watched, and for me as well, I feel like it's a great honor to have that opportunity to be a part of the team that has that opportunity.”
Elon University tied with the University of North Carolina Wilmington for third place. Appalachian State Club Swim and William & Mary Club Swim finished in first and second, respectively.
The meet, this year dubbed the Trick or Treat Meet, is a yearly event for Elon’s Club Swim. At the end of the meet, individual swimmers from every school swim a relay with a pumpkin. This year, Elon University won the pumpkin race.
Since the pandemic began, club sports have been unable to host large events. They have, like club swim, improvised with creative solutions, such as last year’s “virtual” swim meet. This was a swim meet held in the local YMCA pool due to COVID-19 restrictions and pool renovations at Beck pool. The teams of Mary Washington University and Elon raced in their own pools, comparing the times of each swimmer through spreadsheets to determine a winner.
However, as COVID-19 restrictions ease this year, swimmers are eager for the opportunities this offers.
“This meet is especially special because I get to see my times for the first time, and I haven't been to a meet since high school, which was a few years ago, so having times from this meet is really beneficial for the next meet,” Elon sophomore Meghan Green said. “I can see the events that I'll typically swim, and it gives me another goal to work towards.”
Elon University club swim, while not hosting any more meets this semester, is expecting to race in their next away meet in November at University of Georgia.