<p>For Immediate Release
Sent Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Contact Justin Kischefsky (410) 293-8772</p>
<p>Navy's Zahalka to Write Diary for Swimming World Magazine</p>
<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Navy's Kelly Zahalka (So., Richmond, Va.) will be chronicling her daily life as a midshipman and member of the women's swimming team all this week for the web site of Swimming World Magazine,
<a href="http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com(%5B/url%5D.)">www.swimmingworldmagazine.com(.)</a> </p>
<p>In addition to having posted a 4.0 cumulative grade-point average at Navy, Zahalka also holds Navy and Patriot League records in the 200 butterfly and 400 individual medley events.</p>
<p>Zahalka joins swimmers from schools such as USC, Washington, Duke and Northwestern to write a daily diary for the web site this year. Zahalka's entries, and those of the previous swimmers to take part in the series, can be found at the following link --
<a href="http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/DayInTheLife_news.asp(%5B/url%5D.)">http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/DayInTheLife_news.asp(.)</a></p>
<p>Her initial entry follows ...</p>
<p>Monday, January 22, 2007: Day 1</p>
<p>Hello! I am so excited at the opportunity to share this week with you all as the Naval Academy's Women's Swim Team prepares for our final dual meet of the season against The University of Pennsylvania! Although life here may seem monotonous with all the routines and daily obligations, there are always opportunities to mix things up. On Saturday I participated in what we call a "screener." Voluntary screeners are held throughout the year and are anywhere from 5 to 48 hours long. They are extremely physical and require hundreds of push-ups and sit-ups, running, pull-ups and sometimes swimming. The Naval Academy uses the screeners to determine who gets to go to specialty schools over the summer to be qualified for certain tasks such as repelling from helicopters or parachuting from planes. The one I completed on Saturday was the Dive Screener. Out of my class (USNA Class of 2009) there were 27 midshipmen competing for 3 spots at Dive School. Dive School is a five-week long course in Hawaii, and at the conclusion of the school, each student graduates as a Navy certified scuba diver. This accomplishment is signified by the coveted "dive bubble" that graduates proudly wear on their uniforms. One other girl and several guys on our team did the screener with me. We really stuck together throughout the day to push each other to excel. The Midshipmen who served as instructors came largely from the swim team as well. It was so nice to know that guys who I hang out with around the Yard (campus) and on the weekends were the same people who were in my face yelling for me to do more push-ups. I knew that they weren't going to make me do anything that was impossible; although, they definitely pushed me to my limits. Doing the screener was an awesome chance for me to test myself in something other than academics or swimming! </p>
<p>While I had a great time on Saturday, I was still paying for it today. It took me 3 tries to roll over on my stomach to climb out of my rack (bed) this morning at 0525 for practice. I did make it over to the pool to get in just about 3,000 meters of loosen-up swimming. We practice and compete in a 25 meter pool. We started with 1000m warm-up, then moved onto a small kick set, and some breath control work. We finished with our favorite - 400m "social kick" with fins, but today we had to all be in the first 3 lanes together. We had some serious team bonding as we packed it in! This was a typical Monday morning for the team, where we usually focus on shaking off the weekend and preparing ourselves for the test set that afternoon. Although I could barely bring my arms out of the water or push off the walls, the swim really helped work out some of the kinks from Saturday. I'm just hoping to be fully recovered in time for UPenn. </p>
<p>After practice I rushed to get ready so I could grab some tea on my way to class with a friend. Mondays are my most academically intense days. I start when my alarm goes off at 0525 and don't stop going until I finally sit down at my desk to begin homework around 1930. I hobbled around (my walk is a little funny since I'm so sore) to four classes this morning, went straight to lifting at 1205, ate lunch in my room, went to one more class at 1320, then headed back to the pool at 1430. This time, however, it wasn't to swim. I finished out my school day with my required PE class, Marine Corps Martial Arts, which is held in the wrestling room next to the pool. Today we learned eye gouging, left and right jabs, and practiced some body hardening techniques. It's always fun to watch the guys get so into the punching and fighting. After that class, I stayed at the pool since practice starts right away at 1545. While the team stretched and chatted about this upcoming week, I went over and rode the bike for 15 minutes to loosen up my legs and keep the recovery going. </p>
<p>We got in at 1600 and continued with loosening up in preparation for the test set. We had another 1000m freestyle warm-up with drills, after which we did a breath control set, and a kick set. We did some pulling to finish our warm-up for the test set. Stephanie, the girl who took the screener with me, and I swam this part of practice and then got out to go over and take a 15 minute ice bath. Sitting here now after swimming twice, lifting, and going to Martial Arts class, I can say the ice bath worked wonders on my arms and legs! I should be able to do full workouts with the team tomorrow! </p>
<p>While Stephanie (Hebda) and I were freezing at the trainers, the team did 8x100 kick on 2:30 all out. Our usual in-season kick test set is 8x200 on 4:00, but as Patriot League Championships near, we are focusing more on speed and intensity. The shorter distance helped accomplish the goal.</p>
<p>I finally made it to my room at 1930 for a hot shower, some dinner, and a little bit of homework. The best part about having a packed Monday is that Tuesday is a little bit lighter. I have two lab periods tomorrow morning, then the afternoon off!</p>
<p>Let's hope it only takes 2 tries to roll out of my rack tomorrow!</p>
<p>Go Navy!</p>
<p>Kelly</p>