The UVM women’s swimming and diving team wrapped up their season this past weekend at the America East Championships.

The team placed third for the fifth consecutive year, setting a program record point total of 668. Prior to the championship meet, the team finished the season with a 6-1 record.

The team continued to dedicate themselves day in and day out in preparation for the America East Championship meet.

To hone their skills and prepare for the championships, the swimmers traveled to Islamorada, Fla. for their annual training trip. They practiced five and a half hours a day for five days.

“Although it may seem like a vacation in Florida, it is the most intense training we will do all season,” junior diver Madison Soucy said. “It definitely pays off at the end of the season.”

On the final day of the trip, the team was involved in the shooting incident that occurred in terminal one, gate B2 at Fort Lauderdale Airport.

A woman who came running through their gate warned the team about a man with a gun.

Following the incident, a few members of the team suffered minor injuries, and one member of the team broke her foot, according to a Jan. 17 Cynic article.

“No one will understand what we went through,” sophomore swimmer Sara Meyer said. “Everyone deals with it differently, but we did not let it distract us from our training.”

Following their return to campus, the team continued to practice in preparation for the America East Championship.

At the championship meet, the team broke four records in the 50m free, 100m free, 200m free relay, and 400m free relay.

The Catamounts continued their dominance in the 200m free relay by defending their title. Another notable performance came from senior swimmer Sarah Mantz, who broke the program record in the 100 free.

The Catamounts left the championships on a high note as Mantz, junior Kelly Lennon, senior Kira Hancock and first-year Sierra Sexton posted a record-breaking time in the 400 free relay.

The athletes started their offseason training this week in preparation of next season.