College team trains at North Fort Myers Community Pool
Collegiate swimmers from Pfeiffer University based in North Carolina again held their annual winter break training at the North Fort Myers Community Pool.
Coach Eric Anderson and Assistant Coach Katie Huff brought their men’s and women’s teams to the pool to train, as they have done for last four years. They are an NCAA Division II rank.
“It is truly great that we have a facility that they can use and for them, to also take advantage of local attractions,” said Aquatics Supervisor Christie Davis.
The teams stayed at a local church while undergoing vigorous training – and having a little fun. The teams went to the beach each day of their visit to train there as well.
The swimmers are an inspiration to local young swimmers who also train at the pool, said Davis.
“We have 18 and under club teams from the local area who train here. The Falcons (the college teams) are competitive teams, and it gives the local younger children an opportunity to see a bigger scale team, and see what their practicing and conditioning is like.”
The local pool hosts both the Gulf Coast Swim Team and Swim Florida.
Coach Eric Anderson from Pfeiffer, accompanied by Assistant Coach Katie Huff, thanked local Parks & Recreation officials for making this trip a reality. A friend of his had recommended the facility years ago.
“Thanks to Christie (Davis), and Lee County Parks & Recreation’s Alise Flanjack and Trevor Smiley we have an absolutely wonderful experience – they make it easy and welcoming.”
It’s not all fun and games, he said.
“We are doing hard training and team building here,” he said.
An inspiration to Anderson himself is his father Craig Anderson, who accompanied the team on the trip. His father is a retired middle school principal and a former swim coach.
“I’m very proud of my son. That’s what’s nice about this trip, to see him in his element, connecting with the kids. He’s passionate about his job as a coach.”
A reminder that the North Fort Myers Community Pool is open in winter months Tuesday through Saturday, when the temperature is right. The pool will not open until the outside air temperature reaches 60 degrees, including the wind chill, said Davis.
“The facility uses the NBC-2 weather bug web site for temperature readings, so anyone can look at that web site to determine if the pool is open or not.”
For information, call 652-4520.