By Joel Jackson
Contributing Writer
The St. Bonaventure women’s swimming and diving team still has some work to do before the Atlantic 10 Championships, coach Seth Johnson said.
After falling to A-10 rivals La Salle and Duquesne last weekend, the Bonnies look to improve today at Cleveland State at 3 p.m.
“We want to come in and compete,” Johnson said. “They are always very strong. They always give us a good competition every year, and we only have a couple more dual meets before the end of the first semester. We want to make them count and see what we can do.”
The Bonnies hope to put the disappointment of last weekend’s meet behind them and use this weekend’s competition to improve. Johnson said he is expecting some swimmers to step up.
“We had a tough meet last weekend,” Johnson said. “In the sport of swimming, it’s really about long-term goals. You’re always focusing on the end of the year, and I know there are some people who want to improve upon what we did last weekend even though it is in the short team.”
Johnson said he knows Cleveland State presents a challenge, the Bonnies will have to use their numbers to their advantage.
“We’re going to have to take advantage of our depth. Cleveland State, their front line kids are very good,” Johnson said. “Our advantage is in dual-meet format. We usually have more depth, so seconds, thirds and fourths are going to be huge to make sure we stay in the meet. We have to pick our spots and see if we can win an event here or there or win a relay and then we’re right in it. We have to do what we do best, which is rely on our depth. If we can get it to the last three events and still have a shot, then we’re in good shape.”
