2008 Swimming Trip to Italy

The Emory team following a training session in Lugano, Switzerland

As a Swimming and Diving program that has historically been one of the best programs in Division III, Emory University’s team members often have to put in hours of tough training during the course of the year.  However, the Eagles were able to combine work and play over the summer, as the team was part of a truly unique experience.

Emory diver Sylvie Curci trains in Lugano, Switzerland

From August 14th - 22nd, the Emory University Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving teams headed off to Italy for nine days of training and sightseeing. 

The Eagles made stops at Lake Como, the Alps, Venice, Tuscany, Siena, San Gimignano, Lugano (Switzerland) and Florence, taking time to enjoy all that Italy had to offer, all while preparing for the upcoming season, and another run at a National Championship.

Besides daily training, activities during the trip included guided tours of the cities, mountain hikes, shopping in the local markets, and visits to a number of historic landmarks, among other exciting activities.

Keep reading below to read journal entries of three Emory swimmers, Mark Bernstein, Hayley Heaton, and Katie Mroz, as they traveled across Italy.  To see more photographs from the trip, click here. 

Here is what sophomore Mark Bernstein had to say about the Eagles' trip to the Alps:

"Today was incredible! It was not only our first practice, but it was also our day in the Italian Alps. There are really no words as to how beautiful it was there. I have never seen anything more majestic in my life.

"The weather was absolutely perfect. It was right around 75 degrees and there were almost no clouds. The majority of the Men's team went shirtless because of the weather.

The Emory Men's squad stops for a picture during their Alps Hike

"Back to the view... the trees marked the granite monsters with several shades of green; water ran down the mountain cold and clear. We actually drank from a mountain stream. It was by far the best tasting water I've ever consumed. The hike itself was just incredible. Even though it got a little cloudy and cold towards the end of our hike, everyone was still having a blast. Most of the team, Men's and some Women's, jumped off of a twenty foot rock into the water. It was so cool.

"I really feel like the team in general became closer after this hike. There was a point in which we had to 'forge' a stream. It wasn't the most over powering stream, but it could certainly knock you over. Molly actually fell in. However, a lot of people relied on others to get across. It was almost as if Jon had planned on something like that happening, team building. As I look back on the entire trip, I am thrilled that I had the chance to go where we did. I could not have asked for better company on a trip like this."

Here is what sophomore Katie Mroz wrote about the Eagles' visit to the Alps:

"If you were playing Family Feud and the question was “What was Emory’s Swim and Dive Team’s favorite part of the Italy trip,” survey would say hiking through the Alps. Taking into consideration that I am from one of the flattest states in the United States, I can honestly say that I have never seen anything as beautiful or majestic as those mountains. I felt like I should have been wearing a habit and singing how the hills were alive. Every direction you looked there were new wonders to behold and, as a group, we probably took hundreds of pictures.

"For the most part, we had to walk in a single file line usually because the path was so skinny. It probably looked like we were on the Oregon Trail or refugees of some kind to the Italians taking a holiday by the river. At one point, a group of Italians about our age said “Ciao” and started to laugh. I was towards the end of the line and realized that they probably had been saying “Ciao” to a group of us for the last ten minutes because of the gigantic size of our group.

"We didn’t have to climb too many obstacles, but when we did, I definitely fell and scrapped my knee. Many of the guys turned into out right mountain men and took to climbing anything made out of granite. The group stopped on our way back to jump off a huge rock into the freezing could river. It looked like huge thrill that most of the Men’s Team participated in. I, unfortunately, didn’t partake because I don’t have the (a) coordination or skill to climb a rock and (b) I hate being freezing cold especially as we trudged down the mountain for another hour.

Coach Jon Howell leads his team across a stream during their hike in the Alps

"For kicks and giggles, the team decided to cross the ferocious river by wading across it with our shoes in hand. The water was absolutely freezing and your toes began tingling within seconds. It was a lot harder than it looked, as the current got extremely strong about halfway across. One of our own, Molly Engelmeier, went down and was completely drenched. There was some team spirit and building going on as some people stayed in the water to assist others by supporting hands and elbows. Senior Mary Tripp and Coach Cindy Fontana were the smart ones and walked across the bridge just up the river.

"This trip to Italy has been described with one word over and over: Amazing. Speaking for all of us who got to experience Italy, thank you for your support. Without it, we would never seen the Alps, ate Gelato in Florence, rode a gondola in Venice, or seen George Clooney’s house on Lake Como."

Here is what senior Hayley Heaton wrote about her experience with Fattoria il Poggio, Siena, and San Gimignano:

"Today was amazing.  After we finished our practice in Montecatini, we headed over to Fattoria il Poggio (a farm and vineyard) for a food and wine tasting.  The farm was really pretty.  We sat at long tables outside under a white tent, so it was shaded.  The food was delicious.  I’m not a fan of tomatoes, but the sundried tomatoes they served were amazing.  The bread, cheese, and salami were great too.  We had time to walk around a little bit and buy things from the shop there if we wanted. 

The square in the city of Siena

"Once we finished up there, we went to Siena.  The roads were a little narrow going up to it, but the view was spectacular.  I had to stop after we got off the bus and take pictures (which don’t do it justice) of the view.  The city itself had a very medieval feel to it, which is appropriate I guess seeing as how it’s a medieval city.  We stood in the Piazza del Campo for a while.  It’s amazing to think that they fit 20,000 people into that little square for a horse race!  The districts of the city have a horse race where riders go three laps around the piazza.  They had had the race recently, so the winner’s colors were plastered everywhere. 

"We had a guided tour of the city and got to see all the beautiful architecture and hear about the city’s history.  The Duomo was stunning - I can’t even describe it.  Lots more pictures were taken.  I had to start cutting down a little bit because the batteries of my camera started dying.  I still got lots of great pictures though, so it’s okay. 

"After the tour, we were free to walk around the city for about an hour.  A bunch of us went to a restaurant where I had some delicious bruschetta and watermelon.  We met back up with the group and headed back to the bus.  From Siena, we went to San Gimignano, another medieval town nearby.  We had to walk up a fairly big hill to get to the city.  The view was, once again, gorgeous.  My pictures don’t do it justice either.  We had a quick guided tour where we basically walked up the main street and heard some history about it.  The city used to have over 70 towers (I think…my numbers might be wrong though so don’t quote me).  Now there are only 14 (that I know for sure), but they were still really impressive.  It was just cool to be walking around the narrow stone streets of Italy (although the main street of San Gimignano was pretty big).  There were so many cool art shops along the way too.  We headed back to the bus pretty quickly because we had to get back in time for dinner in Montecatini.  We were all exhausted.  Dinner was excellent. 

Amy Minowitz, Haley Heaton, Ken Minturn, Ruth Westby, Morgan Klinzing, Tess Pasternak and Julie Schenker pose for a picture at the top of the furniculare above Montecatini

"Right after that, I went with a group of six other people to the funicular.  It’s a trolley that takes you up a mountain so you can see all the city’s lights, plus Florence.  It hits a 38% grade at the top too, which would’ve really freaked me out if it hadn’t been dark.  The view was spectacular though.  We walked around the little city at the top of the mountain for a while.  There was a cool stone tower and a cemetery, plus some dark paths we decided not to go down.  After that, we sat at a little café until it was time to head back down.  Had to pack and all. 

"Overall, it was a fantastic day.  A little hot, but what can you do?  I had a blast anyway."