This point in the season for UF’s swimming and diving teams would be considered halftime if it were a football game, according to coach Gregg Troy.
Although the Gators have proven to be contenders in the first half of the season, they have to keep up that same momentum in the second half if they want to reach their goals of competing for championships.
With nearly all of their Fall competition in the books, and two weeks off since the South Carolina meet on Nov. 6, the coaches and athletes have had the time to reflect on their performances and work on the things they can improve.
"From a coaching perspective we get a chance to evaluate in a championship format where we are and what we have done in the Fall," Troy said.
"From an athletic standpoint though, it is even more important because not only do we get a chance to evaluate it, but then we have six weeks before our next competition to work on it and see if we can make some improvements.
As an evaluation tool it is tremendous."
However, the Gators are not the only ones concerning themselves with how they are performing as a team.
They are also keeping an eye on the success their potential competition.
"In the next two weeks there will be a variety of invitationals across the country. They will get a chance to see what the opposition will look like, too," Troy said.
"So you can evaluate splits and race tactics. The entire second semester becomes a little bit more articulate for what you’re looking for."
This weekend, UF will be competing in an invitational of its own — the Buckeye Invitational — which starts Friday and is hosted by Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio.
During the three-day meet, the Gators No. 6 ranked men’s team, led by sophomore Caeleb Dressel, and the No. 19 women’s team will be facing competition from the Southeastern Conference in No. 17 Kentucky.
On the men’s side, the team will battle with the Buckeyes, who have the No. 22 men’s team and No. 25 women’s team.
UF will also see teams from the University of Ohio and Washington University.
This invitational will give the underclassman a chance to experience a championship swimming format and demonstrate how much they have grown this season.
"This is similar to what some of their high school seasons are like," Troy said.
"They can’t hide at all. In this situation it is no longer ‘well I have been working hard and doing something different,’ it’s no longer new, it’s not different. So they are going to have to evaluate who they are and what they want to do."
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Freshman Caeleb Dressel jumps into the pool at the start of the 200-yard breaststroke event during Day 3 of the 2014 Pinch A Penny Invitational
