HONOLULU, HI – With the final practice at the university in the early morning, the #AlohaDogs said their goodbyes to the Aloha state on Friday and made their way to come back home to Indianapolis.

The practice for the Greyhounds included several sets, starting with underwater work. Pullouts and dolphin kicks are an essential part any race, so a hard focus was put on holding their streamlines tight with powerful kicks. The practice transitioned into a longer drill and aerobic set, letting the Hounds choose which aspect of their stroke needed the most improvement or focus. After the bodies were warmed up, fast sets of 50's was the next step. Building that speed and momentum proved to be the beginning of the end, as the final set for the Greyhounds was a 100 fast off-the-blocks for time. When times were done shouting and congrats were given, the #AlohaDogs packed their vans and made their way to the airport.

Reflecting on their training trip, several Greyhounds agreed to give a quick quote about how thankful they were about being able to go on this trip:
"Many thanks to the coaching staff, Devin, Terry, and Jake for giving their all with helping this trip be very successful." – senior Lucian (Lou-sean) Conner

"When asked to go on the trip with the team to Hawaii, I accepted without hesitation. It has truly been the experience of a lifetime.  The team worked incredibly hard with me in the weight room, bringing the best two weeks of intensity and focus that we have had all season. This team and UIndy are doing incredible things, and I am blessed to be a part of it." – strength and conditioning coach Nate Birk

"As a freshman, I was overjoyed to have the opportunity to travel to Hawaii. Walking away from this trip, I felt our team is coming back stronger, both mentally and physically. I look forward to the last couple weeks until the championship season, where we will compete against some of the best teams at our highest potential." – freshman Ally Lunzmann

"Thank you so much to the coaching staff and everyone who helped us get this far. In my athletic career, I've never been able to experience a training trip similar to Hawaii. Bonding with my swim family, finally getting to see the ocean, and getting to hike up two different mountains makes this a trip that I won't ever forget." – freshman Anthony Williamson

"My entire time on this team has been an adventure, and Hawaii was the icing on the cake. Being at a wonderful facility, it's amazing to be able to dive outdoors in the beautiful weather. I want to especially thank the coaches and staff who went out of their way to show us all of the different things on the island between practices! This training trip has given me one last adventure as an undergrad." – senior Kristen Gushrowski

"We've come out of this training trip stronger in all aspects; physically, mentally, and even being closer as a cohesive unit. We were able to create fantastic memories, along with having rigorous practice sessions. Our support staff helped us maintain a positive mindset throughout the entire trip. Mona, Dave, Doron, Bart, Devin, Terry, David, and Nate took care of us so well, and we became so much stronger because of them. Jake was able to show our fans our trip, and the overwhelming support fueled our student-athletes. We also noticed that despite several other DI teams also training at the university, we were the only ones who had such a willing and bountiful support staff. Being able to handle challenges effectively with this new mindset has helped us become ready for GLVC's and NCAA's in the upcoming months." – head coach Jason Hite

Another training video was created during the flights back (because I couldn't twiddle my thumbs for nine hours on a plane), and has been posted on YouTube, similar to the last! It is also posted just under this paragraph, which you probably have already seen. Enjoy!
Every single student-athlete broke down at least one point during this trip; and one of their family members picked them back up. A training trip is not simply a vacation (although warm weather is a bonus), but it is a brick wall, standing hundreds of feet high. Sure, one person can eventually knock the wall down. But the collection of like-minded people coming together to accomplish one goal can push down the wall in one heave. The Greyhound swimming & diving teams have hefty goals. Not only are both the men and the women aiming for their highest finishes in school history, but the men are hungry for a national title, to become the new kings of Division II. As a former student-athlete on this team, now a Sports Information Intern, I was convinced more and more every day about how close these goals are to becoming a reality. Whether you knew our squad before Jason Hite was the head coach, or you just joined us because you saw this blog, thank you for all that you give. Your time, thoughts, cheers, and any effort you give has helped become the program become what we are today. But we're not done yet.

Sincerely,
The #AlohaDogs

JANUARY 10TH
As Thursday was the last full day of the Hawai'I training trip, the #AlohaDogs wanted to end the day with a schedule that they will remember. With one practice and several options after, that goal was certainly met.

The Greyhounds started their early morning with a tough practice at the Duke Kahanamoke Aquatic Complex. The teams split up into groups based on their different stroke specialties, and had a variety of things to work on. Some of these aspects included breath control, explosiveness, and many other drills to prepare the Greyhounds for the upcoming GLVC Championships. When it came to go around to the land workout, the women broke off into dryland with their various stations, and the men conducted a different type of weights session. Strength and Conditioning coach Nate Birk focused heavily on lifting only body weight, bringing several rounds of high reps on the student-athletes.

With the final afternoon free to the #AlohaDogs' delight, the team was given many different options on how they wanted to spend the final evening. One group of Greyhounds went down to the Dole Plantation, visiting the site and everything it had to offer for tourists. Soon after, the group moved towards the Electric beach, a beautiful spot with the opportunity to snorkel in its beautiful, clear water. During their fun in the sun, a ginormous humpback whale was spotted by several #AlohaDogs out in the distance. After it spurted air out of its blow hole and gave a swift kick of the sea with its flukes, that was the last of him. Truly a memorable moment for the #AlohaDogs.

The other group of Greyhounds took on the north side of Oahu, as they traveled to several spots in the North Shore. These places included Waimea Bay and the Banzai Pipeline, which known for its incredible waves to surf on. Several Greyhounds got the opportunity to body surf, which was certainly an amazing opportunity not usually present in Indianapolis.

As the #AlohaDogs make their way back to the hotel, they will prepare to rest up for their busy Friday. With a morning practice, a long flight, and a long layover all tomorrow, the Greyhounds will need as much rest as they can tonight. For more updates, please follow @UIndyAthletics and @UIndySwimDive on Twitter, and also @UIndy_swimdive and @UIndyAthletics on Instagram for our takeover. If you would like to interact more with us, make sure to use the hashtag #AlohaDogs in your social media posts to show support.

JANUARY 9TH
With the last day of doubles packed in the books, the #AlohaDogs continued to have some fun in the sun on their last days of the Honolulu training trip.

As the Greyhounds piled in their vans for the early morning workout, they came together at 5:00 AM to start the day off on a positive note. Into practice, working on kicking, the Greyhounds grinded the strongest muscles in the human body. Being able to power a kick throughout the entire race will give the Hounds better finishes in their races come championship season. Working hard, the Greyhounds were able to transfer their energy into their dryland, giving a terrific effort in the heat. Back into stations and weights, the men and women performed at a high level once again.

After practice concluded for the #AlohaDogs and positive aspects were taken out of the practice, a long break was given to the student-athletes before the next practice. Several options were once again given to the Greyhounds on how they might like to spend their Wednesday. A group have Greyhounds went back to the swap meet, checking out the new Hawaiian products that maybe were missed before. Another group decided to head back to the beach, but this time to take on Hanauma Bay. Through some beautiful snorkeling & some beach tanning, the #AlohaDogs made their way back to the final afternoon practice of their training trip.

Through some flexibility and adversity, the Greyhounds were able to hold their practice successfully in a stations workout. These stations included power towers, stretch cords, starts, dead starts, and vertical kicking. Being able to run five or more stations simultaneously with four coaches (and two helpers in David and Jake) has been extremely advantageous for the Greyhounds, allowing the student-athletes to hammer on several different aspects of their swims one at a time. After the exceptional practice, the Greyhounds packed their bags and made their way back to the hotel for a good night's rest.

With one last full day for the Greyhounds on Thursday will hopefully be one to remember, as they only have a morning practice scheduled. For more updates, please follow @UIndyAthletics and @UIndySwimDive on Twitter, and also @UIndy_swimdive and @UIndyAthletics on Instagram for our takeover. If you would like to interact more with us, make sure to use the hashtag #AlohaDogs in your social media posts to show support.

JANUARY 8TH
With only two full days to go, the #AlohaDogs let themselves relax with a calmer Tuesday, as they packed their day with only a single practice and a trip to Manoa Falls.

As the day's only practice started in the early afternoon, the Greyhounds put their bodies in the (somewhat warmer) cold pool and prepared for the main set. Splitting off into distance, freestyle, breastroke, and another stroke group (consisting of fly and backstroke), they began their pace set. Focusing in on 200's pace, the #AlohaDogs did three rounds of a broken 200. With lots of writing on the boards, some Greyhounds seemed slightly intimidated by the set. This fire was quickly put out though, as several student-athletes stepped up and had impressive swims, boosting the group's morale. Freshman Grant Wasserman had a great set in the freestyle group, improving his broken 200 time each round.

After the stars shined with the teams, many went back to recover their aching bodies (which is well deserved). A group of Greyhounds claimed that they wanted to travel to Manoa Falls, after team masseuse Terry Fletcher gave high praise about the short hike. As the #AlohaDogs took a van out to see, they were astonished to see the amount of chickens and roosters roaming the streets (not to mention that senior Lucian Conner was successfully able to call the chickens over to him). They Hounds have seen a handful of them on their journey so far, but the plethora of them in this area was out of norm.

Going onto the trail, the trees and greenery around them was nothing less than beautiful. Words can't describe how lush it was. The more the #AlohaDogs continued to walk, the more interesting the walk became. From the amount of bamboo to a tree that formed into an arch walkway (which sophomore Ryan Kallenberger then made it a pull up bar for some photos). With each step, the trail took the Greyhounds farther into the woods and farther away from the city that they've seen for the last two weeks. Coming up to the end, a beautiful waterfall awaited them. Scaling to around 300 feet tall, the majestic waterfall put the #AlohaDogs in complete awe. The soothing sound of the waterfall, the shallow plunge pool at the bottom, the collection of rocks around it, and the beautiful sun peaking its way out between the trees, all one could do at first sight is to just stare at its magnificence. After several pictures, the #AlohaDogs made their way back to the hotel (they couldn't get into the water, there's a bacteria present that could get you very sick).

The Greyhounds prepare to have a successful Wednesday, packed with a double of practices in the early morning and later afternoon. They will also have several options in between practices, as a couple beaches have been mentioned, and also the swap meet. For more updates, please follow @UIndyAthletics and @UIndySwimDive on Twitter, and also @UIndy_swimdive and @UIndyAthletics on Instagram for our takeover. If you would like to interact more with us, make sure to use the hashtag #AlohaDogs in your social media posts to show support.

JANUARY 7TH
After eleven tough days, the #AlohaDogs have continued to excel as a complete unit in and out of the pool. Monday was nothing less than competitive and exciting.

With a later practice in the morning, the Greyhounds split their team into three different group; divers, sprint with distance, and mid distance. Each group traveled to a different location, and met up with Drury and Lindenwood swimmers of the same skill set. While at the respected pools, the teams did a combined warmup together, mixed in lanes with each other. After warm up concluded, every student-athlete stepped on the blocks and raced against not only their teammates, but their opponents for the day. The sets varied based on what type of student-athlete you were, but #AlohaDogs stood out among the rest across the board. Competition brings out the best in some people, and it boded well for the Greyhounds. Although times were recorded for everyone, everyone was a winner today, because today was a great day to get better.

With a couple hours to rest back at the hotel, the #AlohaDogs soon got back to the pool and began practice with a nice and smooth set. Flushing out the gunk from this morning, the Greyhounds utilized part of their set to work on breath control. As the men went to dryland and the women went to weights, the diving teams continued to grind on the boards. After a handful of days that were rough on the diving teams, today was a great day. Sophomore Casey Crawford was nailing dives, senior Kristen Gushrowski looked and performed with confidence on her dives, and junior Payton Staman put his skills to the test with some amazing difficult dives. Although this was only three names, words can't describe the positivity and great direction they took today as a team. The Greyhounds did so well, that even coach David McKown jumped on both the board and platforms for some fun.

After all the hard work and fun, the Greyhounds traveled back to their rooms for dinner, except for one group. Starting a new training trip tradition, head coach Jason Hite wanted to take all of the seniors to dinner. This group of seniors, although not everyone who was recruited by him, is the first group of student-athletes to go through UIndy fully with coach Hite. As a thank you for all the memories and hard work (including the next two and a half months), the family went to Side Street Inn, a beautiful place that has delicious rice, pork, beef, chicken, and even a brownie dessert.

The Greyhounds will have their final days in style, as Tuesday brings in a new day. They'll have plenty of time to improve themselves, along with an adventure tomorrow to a place not yet explored by the #AlohaDogs. For more updates, please follow @UIndyAthletics and @UIndySwimDive on Twitter, and also @UIndy_swimdive and @UIndyAthletics on Instagram for our takeover. If you would like to interact more with us, make sure to use the hashtag #AlohaDogs in your social media posts to show support.

JANUARY 6TH
On the tenth day (Sunday) of the Greyhounds training trip in Hawai'i, it was certainly one to remember for many #AlohaDogs. There were several different types of tough obstacles that the men and women hopped over throughout the day.

The first challenge of the day was earlier in the morning, as the Greyhounds piled in their vans to travel to Mt. Koko Head, a hard trek that included around 1,050 "steps" in a heavy slant upwards. It can be confirmed by some #AlohaDogs that Cincinnati Reds outfielder Yasiel Puig was spotted climbing the mountain as well (just not realized until after seeing his social media posting and reviewing Go Pro footage). After around thirty to forty-five minutes of climbing, the teams finally reached the top. Upon reaching the peak, it seemed as if all the sore muscles and heavy breathing were forgotten. The view was absolutely breathtaking. In sheer excitement, many pictures were taken with friends, many sat and simply let the beauty soak in, and some simply enjoyed their victory. After all reached to the top, a group photo was taken, the Hounds gave their team chant in style, and Greyhounds went down the mountain in groups.














Upon returning to the hotel, the Greyhounds' hunger was at an all-time level. Contemplating where to eat, several of the #AlohaDogs decided to take up on the MAC 24/7 Pancake Challenge. For those that do not know (or have seen the photos), the challenge consists of one person eating three giant pancakes, which collectively weigh five pounds in under 90 minutes. Overall, seven different #AlohaDogs mustered up the courage; Devin Thomas, Jake Renie, Marko Tasic, Jan Zuchowicz, Chris Gurski, Victor Anto?on, and TJ LeSeure. After bellies were full and the forks hit the table, none of the #AlohaDogs were able to complete the challenge. The group's leader was junior TJ LeSeure, who finished about 70% of the meal. Jake Renie was in a close second, just completing two-thirds of the challenge. Maybe a Greyhound will emerge victorious in the next trip.

Once afternoon practice came along, the Greyhounds started things off with another group stretch. These stretches consisted of shoulder integrity, hamstrings, and much more. Once everyone was loose and ready to rock 'n roll, the #AlohaDogs jumped into their aerobic pull set (Jason promised pull after a great leg workout this morning). The set had several intervals, and the Greyhounds finished the day on a good note. One of the highlights was from sophomore Jazzy Kitt, a quote to bring some positivity about the frigid water,

"They call it cold water, but I call it magic water that makes you tingle."

The #AlohaDogs will continue their positive mindsets on this fantastic trip tomorrow as they face off in a competitive practice against Drury and Lindenwood. For more updates, please follow @UIndyAthletics and @UIndySwimDive on Twitter, and also @UIndy_swimdive and @UIndyAthletics on Instagram for our takeover. If you would like to interact more with us, make sure to use the hashtag #AlohaDogs in your social media posts to show support.

JANUARY 5TH
After having several days without a double, the #AlohaDogs kicked off the Saturday morning at 5:00 AM to start a productive and exciting day.

With the cold winds and chilly water, it was tough for the Greyhounds to get their bodies warmed up for the main set, which was a 200 pace set. In order to help the Greyhounds, the teams moved over to the diving well, where the water was exponentially warmer. Through much contemplation (and making room for Hawaii's water polo team), the Greyhound coaching staff decided to make a change that would best fit this team this morning.

As the great writer, Max McKeown, once said, "Adaptability is about the powerful difference between adapting to cope and adapting to win." The coaching staff recognized that what was originally planned would not be near as effective as they hoped, so they came together and made a change. The teams devised a new set that was geared towards four rounds of 50's fast with fins. The set worked well for the Greyhounds, as speeds were at a crazy level during the set. Senior Rodrigo Codo Berti was phenomenal, as the co-captain went as fast as :18.9 seconds.

Getting ready for the land workout afterwards, the Hounds anxiously awaited to hear what the workout would consist of. After several minutes (which took forever, it seemed), the #AlohaDogs were rewarded with a stretching session instead, led by athletic trainer Devin Thomas. This session consisted of a plethora of shoulder integrity stretches, as Devin Thomas has continued to stress the importance of stretching before and after practice.

Between practices, several of the #AlohaDogs took another beach day at several of the beaches in Oahu. Waikiki, Makapu'u, the Greyhounds have easily gotten their tans, sunburns, and overall fun-in-the-sun on this trip. Coming back to the pool for afternoon practice, the Hounds were able to get back to an original planned practice. The theme was underwater work, as the station workout had power towers, off-the blocks, in-water suicides (and you thought we could only do them on land), and diving well widths. The energy was great, and student-athletes cheered on the distance group as they pushed full force into their pace set. When it was time to hop out of the pool, not only were the #AlohaDogs congratulated on their tough day, but also informed that dryland tomorrow would take place on Koko Head. The 1,000 step hike would be a workout in itself, and several Greyhounds are ready for the challenge, especially junior TJ LeSeure.

"I absolutely love hiking, and I'm pumped for the challenge tomorrow morning," LeSeure explains. "We've grown a lot closer as teammates and have had some amazing experiences, along with a plethora of progress in the pool. Tomorrow should be another great day!"

The #AlohaDogs will look to start their amazing day at around 7 AM for the trek. Several Greyhounds will be going to the swap meet again as well before practice. For more updates, please follow @UIndyAthletics and @UIndySwimDive on Twitter, and also @UIndy_swimdive and @UIndyAthletics on Instagram for our takeover. If you would like to interact more with us, make sure to use the hashtag #AlohaDogs in your social media posts to show support.

JANUARY 4TH
With a busy Thursday of Diamondhead, Pearl Harbor, and the North Shore in the books, the #AlohaDogs spent their Friday on the more relaxing side, only taking on one practice and a short beach visit.

Being able to sleep in, the Greyhounds didn't have their land workout session until 9:30 AM. As they arrived at UH – Manoa, the women made their way behind the pool for dryland, as the men entered the weight room. The weight room was focused on low reps this past Friday, as power cleans, back squats, bench press (with dumbbells), and various ab exercises populated the chalkboard. The women got in their competitive dryland, as they did the same workout as the men on Wednesday. These stations include abs, battle ropes, med balls, shoulder integrity, and sand volleyball.

Exhausted from not only today's land workout, but also yesterday's day of activities, the Hounds hopped into the cold pool and had a terrific workout planned ahead. Starting off with a kick set, the Greyhounds pounded their legs as they do almost every day. Moving into the main set, they worked with creating race-pace efforts with plenty of resistance and other various gear. There were three rounds; first had drag socks (or parachutes) and fins, the second had drag socks (or parachutes), fins, and paddles, while the third round had just fins and paddles. Sophomore Marko Tasic had an exceptional day, not only generating speed, but also had a huge part in generating energy in the #AlohaDogs around him.

During the Hounds' workout, the diving teams had the opportunity to participate in a practice meet with several other universities that are practicing at UH – Manoa. These included all Division I universities, as our divers fought valiantly against Hawai'I, Harvard, Wisconsin – Madison, and more.

After the conclusion of the only practice of the day, the #AlohaDogs had the opportunity to visit a new beach, or go to two others. Several student-athletes stayed close to the hotel and walked over to the beautiful Waikiki beach. The other route that #AlohaDogs took in their beach-run had two different stops along the way. The first stop was the Kailua beach, a spot with shallow water and much more relaxing waves than the previous places the #AlohaDOgs have been. After a short stay, the van of Greyhounds rode over to Makapu'u, where they got the thrill, once again, of high-flying waves.

The Greyhounds will be back in the swing of things with a double for tomorrow's training. Starting at the crack of dawn, they look to make another productive day working towards their February and March goals. For more updates, please follow @UIndyAthletics and @UIndySwimDive on Twitter, and also @UIndy_swimdive and @UIndyAthletics on Instagram for our takeover. If you would like to interact more with us, make sure to use the hashtag #AlohaDogs in your social media posts to show support.

JANUARY 3RD
After five days of intense training, the #AlohaDogs took off the entire day on Thursday to relax, spend some time touring, and enjoy Hawai'i's bright sunshine. Despite it being an off-day, the Greyhounds were plenty busy from sun-up to sun-down.

The day started out at around 6:00 AM, as the Hounds smacked their alarm clocks and piled up into the vans. Their destination would be the bottom Diamondhead in Waikiki, which is a trail that is an incredibly popular spot for the sunrises. Trekking up was no easy feat, but the #AlohaDogs were able to reach the top and become situated before the sun rose over the horizon. The view was breathtaking, as it seemed you could see the entire island of Oahu. Soon after the sun completely raised into the morning sky, the Greyhounds packed up the vans and made their way to the next destination.

About fourteen and a half miles later, the Greyhounds arrived at the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites Visitor Center. It was incredible to not only see the site, but to also see the amount of student-athletes (both from in and outside of the US) paying their respects and willing to educate themselves on a piece of history. The groups decided to go on a harbor tour, as they traveled by boat and viewed several monuments, including the USS Arizona Memorial. After several incredible moments of sightseeing and educating, the Hounds got back into their team vans and reflected on their experience on the drive to the North Shore.

"Being able to pay my respects at Pearl Harbor was incredibly eye-opening," states senior diver Ashley Clevenger. "We've worked extremely hard so far this trip, and with a free day packed full of fun and amazing experiences, we've refreshed our minds and bodies. It helps us stay engaged and focused on our team goals."

With another half hour of driving under their belts, the #AlohaDogs got some fun in the North Shore. With even bigger waves than Makapu'u, many Greyhounds claim that several waves were around twenty feet into the air. With plenty of fun, several memories were created during their tenure on the North Shore. One of the main highlights of being at the North Shore was seeing Katinka Hozzsu, a three-time Olympic champion swimmer from Hungary. Briefly being able to speak with the three-time FINA Swimmer of the Year, Hozzsu is currently having her own training trip in Hawai'I (great minds think alike). After some pictures and autographs, the Hounds prepared to watch a phenomenal sunset on the beach. After its breathtaking view, the Greyhounds packed up and made their way back to the team hotel.
The Greyhounds will go back to the ole grindstone with a single practice session in the late morning, including both a swim and land workout on Friday. For more updates, please follow @UIndyAthletics and @UIndySwimDive on Twitter, and also @UIndy_swimdive and @UIndyAthletics on Instagram for our takeover. If you would like to interact more with us, make sure to use the hashtag #AlohaDogs in your social media posts to show support.


JANUARY 2ND
With only one day (or three practices) separating the Greyhounds into a day off, the #AlohaDogs did not let anything stand in their way from a positive mindset on Wednesday.

Another 5 AM workout came around on the clock, and the Hounds hopped into the pool to keep grinding to their goals. The main set was aerobic threshold, trying to hold the fastest pace possible for the set's entirety. For every 100 that was thrown, the rest of the practice seemed to get gloomier and darker. The student-athletes were struggling. Aches and pains in every joint in their body was screaming for help. It was as if there was no end until,

"… let's go Hounds."

A small voice escaped the lungs of a heavy-breathing swimmer. A couple heads turned, then went into the next 100. When they finished at the wall, the next sound breaks the silence.

"C'mon Hounds, we got this."

Every 100 continued to give a louder and more exciting phrase of encouragement. Then it became multiple voices shouting positivity to their teammates. Soon, hands started clapping, water started splashing, and the energy emerged from the darkness. The Greyhounds were back on top of the world. The repeat 100's became faster than before. Beat up and bruised, the teams found a way to exceed expectations. After the twenty-first and final 100, the #AlohaDogs finished with plenty of high-fives, pats on the back, and 'good job's. Although the swim portion of the practice was finished, the #AlohaDogs weren't done yet.

Going into the land workout, a surprise was awaiting for the men behind the pool. As usual, the men were instructed to be split into several groups. The group on the sand were astounded as a volleyball came hurling their way, accompanied by the phrase, "so let's pick teams" from head coach Jason Hite. The groups would rotate from sand volleyball, abs, shoulder integrity, medicine balls, and battle ropes. Along with a lot of trash talk, the work in the other stations were done well, without slack.

After, an idea was brought up about traveling to the swap meet at Aloha Stadium. At the venue, hundreds of shops circled across the stadium, selling things from food, clothes, toys, replica swords, posters, and many more things. Each local vendor had their own product, giving a variety of options for any one thing (for example, coffee). Even through all of the Hawaiian themed merchandise, the Greyhounds were able to channel their inner #AlohaDogs with a custom carving of the UIndy logo, as shown in the picture. 

When the money was spent and lunchtime was upon them, the Hounds traveled back to their rooms to eat some lunch and prepare for practice. When they arrived to the pool, several stations became set up during warm-ups. In total, there were eight different things going on at one time, but the swimming and diving teams had help. Strength coach Nate Birk, Athletic Trainer Devin Thomas, team Masseuse Terry Fletcher, and Mona Groteguth's fiancé (David), all spent their free time helping UIndy swimming and diving get better, running various stations. Without them, the #AlohaDogs couldn't have had a better practice.

With another day in the books, the Greyhounds will be excited to have a day off from practices on Thursday. Along with the ample amounts of free-time they now have, Hounds will have a variety of options to spend their day. Some of those options include Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, and the North Shore. Continue to visit every day for more updates on your favorite #AlohaDogs. For more updates, please follow @UIndyAthletics and @UIndySwimDive on Twitter, and also @UIndy_swimdive and @UIndyAthletics on Instagram for our takeover. If you would like to interact more with us, make sure to use the hashtag #AlohaDogs in your social media posts to show support.

JANUARY 1ST
After a thrilling New Year's Eve, the Greyhounds celebrated 2019 with three workouts, all done before 2:00 PM. After, several options were given as to places that student-athletes wanted to visit.

The #AlohaDogs started their set with a rigorous kick set, strapping back on the resistance socks and parachutes. The 5 AM practice started out slow, but the teams' energy started to crescendo into a sparking level by the end of the set. Building leg strength has been a focus of the Hounds all season, as it's one of the most important aspects to achieve the high goals set for this season. Afterwards, they split into their groups by stroke, and performed an aerobic set of a relaxing pace and changing into speed. The set was even better than the kick set, and there were several impression Hounds during the workout.

For the daily land workout, the women went off to dryland, and the men traveled to the weight room. The women performed the same dryland as the men did in the previous day (abs, bands, med balls, and legs), but with a twist. Head coach Jason Hite and Athletic Trainer Devin Thomas participated in the legs portion of the workout with the ladies. Edda Skoric continued to have a terrific training trip, as many of the women acclaimed her valiant efforts during the workout. As the men were into the weight room, there were plenty of outstanding lifts being performed. Many of the men had heavy cleans, and a handful of men did over 30 pull-ups in one sitting towards the end of the workout. Sophomore Brady Stabler performed 31 in total, but the record was held by junior Jake Braumbaugh, as pull-up after pull-up he allotted to a grand total of 33 in a row.

After the morning practice sessions reached their conclusion, a small break was given to the Greyhounds before coming back to the early afternoon practice. The divers jumped onto the boards slightly earlier than their swimming teammates, joining several big-name BigTen schools Wisconsin and Nebraska. The Greyhounds easily blended in, as their dives in practice were just as good in performance. They'll have an unofficial competition later in the trip versus other schools, including Harvard, that we'll update you on after more details are finalized.

The afternoon swim practice for the #AlohaDogs started off with relief, as the main focus was recovery (to many student-athletes' delight). Before the swimming portion started, Devin Thomas led the teams in a routine centered on shoulder stabilization, integrity, and overall stretching. The rest of the swimming was very relaxed and focused on technique, which will bode well for the Greyhounds in the next several days.

"Having a recovery practice helps reset your mindset and body in order to help prepare you for the next challenging practice," illustrates freshman Maddisen Lantz. "With swimming having a high risk for overuse injuries in our shoulders, having Devin go through that routine really helps the bread and butter of our swimming."

After the practices, the rest of the afternoon was owned for fun and more relaxation. There was several different groups once again, as several vans went to revisit Makapu'u beach. A couple of the student-athletes bought boogie boards, and wanted to test out the treacherous waves (there were no injuries sustained, thank goodness). Another group of student-athletes took a short trip across the road to Waikiki beach, and sought out the beauty of Honolulu.

With more practices tomorrow and more exciting plans in the next couple days, the #AlohaDogs will be plenty busy as their training trip continues. If you missed the first training trip video that was posted yesterday, you can view that by either clicking the graphic at the top of the article, scroll down to the video on yesterday's blog update, or click here for the direct link. For more updates, please follow @UIndyAthletics and @UIndySwimDive on Twitter, and also @UIndy_swimdive  and @UIndyAthletics on Instagram for our takeover. If you would like to interact more with us, make sure to use the hashtag #AlohaDogs in your social media posts to show support.

DECEMBER 31ST
As Monday was the final day of 2018, the Greyhounds were looking to end the year on a positive note, both in practice and in general. With only one practice on the day, the teams still had ample opportunity to excel in their training.

The morning started off luxuriously as they were able to sleep in (practice was at 9:30 AM). Switching things up, the #AlohaDogs began their vigorous practice session with a land workout. The women and divers compiled together for a sizzling workout overall. With plenty of cleans, squats, ab wheels, and military presses, the Greyhounds showed pride and were loud and excited about a positive lifting session (along with singing several of the songs that Veeanna Edwards put on the speakers). Sophomore Casey Crawford had a brilliant session, as his squats and cleans got the entire diving team animated. The men walked out to conduct dryland in the team's now-usual spot, behind the pool. From there, they once again split into four groups: abs, bands, medicine balls, and legs. The various workouts included med ball throws, sprints with pushups in the sand, and more. The workout was topped with beautiful scenery, as the men were rewarded with a beautiful rainbow upon their hard work.

Next, the Greyhounds jumped into the water for their last workout of 2018. For the main set, the teams once again split into groups, this time based on strokes (and distance). The purpose of the set was to not only hit your 200 pace in rounds of 50's, but to also maintain it for the set's entirety. Halfway through the set, head coach Jason Hite challenged his student-athletes.

"I had to make a judgement call," explains Jason Hite. "Do I want my student-athletes to end the year and tough day on a rigid practice and a depleted mentality, or do I want to rejuvenate enthusiasm in these kids through some fast swimming?

"I knew the latter would be the best choice in order for this team to excel moving forward."

First, Jason offered his student-athletes a chance to step onto the blocks and beat a goal time in order to withdrawal from the second half of the set. At first, coach Hite only required one male and one female student-athlete to participate in his challenge. Three Greyhounds offered up their services and ended in excellence. Then, three more brave Hounds stepped to the challenge. The shouts of their teammates was bone chilling, because if you closed your eyes, you could feel an energy equal to March. After they finished, four more entered for a chance to swim fast. Another three, four more, up until there became a waiting list. In total, SEVENTEEN total #AlohaDogs contended in Hite's challenge. The highlights included freshman Daniel Bouhlel and junior Edda Skoric, who each stepped up twice in the head coach's challenge.

For the Greyhounds' free afternoon, there were a couple options that they decided to roll with in their activities. A group of #AlohaDogs took some vans to the west shore of Oahu and Makaha beaches, where they not only witnessed a beautiful sunset, but also sea turtles, coral reefs, and various island fish. Another squad traveled towards the Magic Island Lagoon, where a similar sunset was witnessed, but was different due to some sea lions that were visible along their trek.

The #AlohaDogs will not only being kicking off the new 2019 year with three workout sessions, but also a fun video highlighting some of their trip. This video will be part one, as many videos may be in the near future of this trip! Check it out below, or click here to go to the direct YouTube page. For more updates, please follow @UIndyAthletics and @UIndySwimDive on Twitter, and also @UIndyAthletics on Instagram for our takeover. If you would like to interact more with us, make sure to use the hashtag #AlohaDogs in your social media posts to show support.

DECEMBER 30TH
With only two full days left until the New Year, the Greyhounds came out for Sunday's training with all heart and effort. The day was packed with items, with another double in practices, some land exercises, and a sprinkle of fun.

The teams began the 30^th with a low-yardage, high focus set in the morning. Covered in various equipment, (such as resistance socks, parachutes, and fins), head coach Jason Hite pounded the student-athletes' legs to build more explosiveness and power. In the final moments of the main set, the Greyhounds were challenged in their final 100 kick for time, and given a time standard to beat with fins (women: 1:00, men: :50). Several #AlohaDogs on both teams stepped up to the challenge and excelled past the standards.

After the swim portion was concluded, the men went off to their weights session, and the women jogged off to dryland. In the weight room, coach Birk provided a high weight, high focus workout. Several seniors spoke after about how every movement had a purpose, and it was quite possibly one of the best lifting sessions of their UIndy career. The women were just as productive in their dryland, as they did the same rotation as the men did on Saturday. Just like yesterday, a competition was placed on the women to see who would provide the fasted suicide in the sand court. After some tough races and some leaps into the finish, freshman Sasha Shatskih zipped past the rest with the fastest time of the day, clocking in at :21.5 seconds.
The Greyhounds were able to participate in some sightseeing in the early afternoon as they took vans to Makapu'u beach. With the beautiful scenery, the giant waves, and the bright sunshine, the swimming and diving teams both had a thrilling memory to take back with them (and some sunburns as well).

"Even though we were exhausted from playing in the ocean, we worked our tails off to nail our difficult dives," describes junior Payton Staman. "So far, the teams have been tremendous at integrating with each other. It's also great to see that everyone is back in the water training, as Terry Fletcher (the team massuse) and Devin Thomas (team athletic trainer) have been huge in our recovery and preparation this year."

After some fun in the sun, the Greyhounds went back to the pool to grind the second swim practice of the day. The teams broke up into various groups; distance, breastroke, IM, sprint, and the back/fly group. Despite sore muscles and some sunburns, the student-athletes stayed positive and threw everything on the table during their workout. The effort was shown and several positives came to surface, but the Hounds know that their work isn't done yet.

The swimming and diving teams will be excited for only one practice on Monday the 31^st in the morning. For more updates, please follow @UIndyAthletics and @UIndySwimDive on Twitter, and also @UIndyAthletics on Instagram for our takeover. If you would like to interact more with us, make sure to use the hashtag #AlohaDogs in your social media posts to show support.

DECEMBER 29TH
As all the Greyhounds finally arrived in the Aloha state, it was quickly off to bed and ready to begin the grind in the morning. On the morning of the 29^th, the swimming and diving teams made their way to the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex, the outdoor facility of the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
  In the morning, the #AlohaDogs kicked off their training regimen by swimming a long and aerobic set in order to flush out the gunk of plenty of traveling for the student-athletes. There was light rain, but soon there were rainbows visible and plenty of sunshine for the land workout. After the conclusion of the swim-workout, the teams broke off into two groups: the women went to the weight room, and the men went out back for dryland.

With strength and conditioning coach Nate Birk, the women excelled with their workout. The group was loud, motivating, and feeding off of everyone's energy. Several of those men cited that even though they were outside the weight room's building and off to the sand courts, you could easily tell that there was a good practice for the women. The men did their station workout around the sane volleyball courts, rotating in four different groups: bands, medicine balls, abs, and legs. The same energy described from the women could be felt from the men, as they even fueled a competitive fire to their workout. In one of the courts, suicide races were done in order to see who the fastest Greyhound was (in the sand). This turned out to be Jan Zuchowicz, as he finished on a time of :19.5 seconds.

After some rest at the condominium and a grocery store run, the Hounds finished off the day with a high velocity, high effort workout in the late afternoon. The teams were split into sprint, mid-distance, and distance groups, and completed variations of the workout that modified their strengths. One of the main highlights was from freshman Anthony Williamson and senior Vitor Botana, who swam in adjacent lanes and raced each other all night.

"Despite all of us being exhausted," explains junior Danielle Wood, "I watched so many Hounds step up and give everything they had. We've had a great start, and I can't wait to see more energy and momentum to finish out this season!"

The Greyhounds will go back tomorrow with more doubles and a little taste of the Hawaiian sun. For more updates, please follow @UIndyAthletics and @UIndySwimDive on Twitter, and also @UIndyAthletics on Instagram for our takeover. If you would like to interact more with us, make sure to use the hashtag #AlohaDogs in your social media posts to show support.

DECEMBER 28TH
As the holiday season wraps up for the anticipation of 2019, the swimming and diving teams came home to their Greyhound family in Indianapolis to prepare for the training trip to Hawaii. On December 28^th, the teams packed their bags and hopped on several planes in their travels to the Aloha State. This blog will contain the Greyhounds' everyday actions, giving you updates on what they are doing, how they are doing it, and how blessed they feel to be on this trip.

Due to the amount of travel needed to go around 4,336 miles (Indianapolis to Honolulu), the Greyhounds did not have much of a chance to explore Hawaii for its beauty. Thankfully, there was enough time left in the day (and a stoppage in the rain) that some took a quick walk around Waikiki to check out some scenery.

"It was awesome to be able to see Waikiki and venture into the different local shops on the street," explains freshman Andrew Rottinghaus. "I was feeling adventurous and also tried a Loco Moco Supreme tonight. It is an excellent dish filled with white rice, eggs, some steak, and delicious gravy."

The Greyhounds will continue the excitement of being in Honolulu tomorrow morning as they commence their rigorous practice schedule. They will be training at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, looking to finish 2018 (and kick off 2019) as strong as ever.

You can follow the Greyhounds not only from this daily blog, but also on social media. The swimming and diving teams are currently doing a take-over on the UIndy Athletics Instagram account, and you can check that out at the handle @UIndyAthletics. The swimming and diving teams will also be specifically using their Instagram (@uindy_swimdive) and Twitter accounts (@UIndySwimDive). You can show your support on social media by using the #AlohaDogs hashtag.