Beavers Hit the Pool for the 2018-19 Season

CORVALLIS – The Oregon State swim team opened practice for the 2018-19 season on Friday with a day of conditioning. They returned to the pool Saturday afternoon for their first training session of the year. With over half the team new to the program mixed in with experienced upperclassman, OSU was excited to get back in the pool.

"I think the first two days in the weight room and doing some conditioning has been filled with lots of learning experiences," said head coach Jennifer Buffin, who is entering her third year at the helm of the program. "We have been setting expectations and what we are looking for as a coaching staff, but also what they expect from each other. That's something we want to continue to do in all environments to continue to move this program forward. It's about holding each other accountable and figuring out how to evaluate themselves in an honest manner so we can get better."

Oregon State's core of returners is led by junior Felicia Anderson, who recorded five B-standard times last season and finished 14^th at the Pac-12 Championships in the 100-meter backstroke. Anderson also returns this season after competing at the USA Swimming Nationals in the 50-meter and 100-meter backstroke.

"We have had so much fun the past few days," Anderson said. "It's going to be such a great year because everyone has been so lively and enthusiastic since being back together."

Anderson is joined by junior Arianna Letrari and sophomore Brooke Hofmann. Letrari posted five B-standard times last season, including in the 100-meter and 200-meter fly. Hofmann posted the top team time in both the 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke.

The returners welcome 11 new faces into the program, 10 freshman and one transfer coming from Indiana State University.

"We continually switch up the groups within workouts to get everyone working towards becoming teammates," said Buffin. "We have been putting newcomers with our returners so they can get to know each other. We are also doing a lot of work around self-awareness and behaviors by putting people together who oftentimes probably would not spend time together because of their differences."

"The freshman currently outnumber the returners," Anderson stated. "It's competitive. People want to swim fast and compete. It will lead to a great year. We are creating an environment together that we have been striving to see. We want to place at the Pac-12 meet, we want to win dual-meets and we want to get our name out there. That's what the message is, and we are all on the same page moving towards those goals."

Oregon State will continue training this week, as it prepares for their first meet at Nevada on Sept. 14. The Beavers will return home on Sept. 29 for their annual Orange vs. Black meet at Osborn Athletic Center. The team's full schedule can be found here.

For more information on the Oregon State swimming team, visit OSUBeavers.com or follow the team @BeaverSwim on Twitter.

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Felicia Anderson

Brooke Hofmann

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