The swimming team will compete at the 2025 NEC Championships at the Spire Aquatics Center in Geneva, Ohio, from Feb. 19-22.
SFU finished its dual-meet season with a 4-4 record with victories over Millersville, St. Petersburg, VMI and Lock Haven.
“The whole swim season is a six-month preparation for the NEC Championships,” said head coach Phil Hurley. “All of our swim practices, lifts and meets have helped to make the team ready for our biggest meet of the year.
“Recently, we have changed our practice methods in anticipation of the championships. We are tapering, or resting, for the meet. It is an important part of helping the swimmers perform at their best.”
Following SFU’s last outing at the Western Pennsylvania Invite (Jan. 31-Feb. 1), Oksana Horova, Inde Patterson and Sara Turner all earned NEC Prime Performer honors for their efforts.
“Each swimmer has improved over the season,” said Hurley. “Our times are much faster than they were back in August. Already this season, we’ve had freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors set new personal-best times.
“I feel strongly that we will have many more personal records by the end of the championships.”
Last season, the Red Flash finished fourth out of nine teams at the NEC Championships.
There are nine seniors on SFU’s roster this season, including Patterson who is a Physician Assistant major from Moon Township, Pennsylvania.
“It’s hard to believe this is my last meet with the team,” said Patterson. “We’ve worked really hard and I’m proud of everything we’ve done together.”
This year’s roster also includes seven freshmen.
“I’m really looking forward to my first college championship,” said Katie Webster, a first-year performer from Pine Bush, New York. “The team’s energy is amazing and I’m excited to contribute.”
The NEC has seen significant changes in recent years, with Sacred Heart and Saint Francis-Brooklyn departing the conference and Le Moyne joining the league.
The Red Flash are optimistic about their prospects for this year’s NEC Championships. Based on current seed times, all of SFU’s relay teams have a good chance to place high in the medal rankings.
“We know that there are other fast swimmers who will have great swims, too,” said Hurley. “We need to be prepared to rise up at every opportunity.”
