Saint Francis Swimming Coaches Focus on NEC Championship Preparation In Unique Interview

Women’s Swimming | 2/10/2026 12:17:00 PM

INTERVIEW OVERVIEW:

As the Saint Francis Red Flash Swimming crew prepares for the NEC Championships, February 16–20 on the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio, senior swimmer Abbey Kutchel sat down with Head Coach Phil Hurley and Assistant Coach Carrie Robinson to debate the crew’s preparation and pleasure heading into the championship meet.  

MONTHS OF PREPARATION LEAD TO CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON:

Coach Phil Hurley emphasised the intensive preparation the crew has accomplished because the begin of the season, noting the constant coaching that has constructed the muse for championship performances.

“We started training all the way back in August,” Hurley mentioned. “It’s been five and a half months to get to this point with swimming seven times a week, lifting, and doing dry land three times a week. We had a training trip where we swam twice a day, and we’ve had 12 days of meets. All of that has gotten us ready to be at this point.”

While acknowledging that there’s nonetheless work to be completed, Hurley expressed confidence within the crew’s progress, including, “I think the team is really strong. We’ve got more work to do, but we are ready for today.”

FINE-TUNING FOR THE BIGGEST RACES OF THE YEAR:

As championships strategy, the main focus of coaching has shifted towards sharpening race execution and a focus to element.

“The first several months have been about building aerobic capacity, getting stronger, faster, and working on technique,” Hurley defined. “Now it’s time to polish the stone, so to speak, paying attention to the small things, doing race strategy, and race pacing so that we are ready for the biggest races of the year.”

TEAM CULTURE AND DEDICATION STAND OUT:

Assistant Coach Carrie Robinson, in her first season with this system, highlighted the Red Flash athletes’ dedication and angle as a defining power.

“I’m proud of how hard everyone has been working in and out of the pool and their attitudes,” Robinson mentioned. “They really want it going into this last year in the NEC and want to go out with a bang.”

EXCITEMENT BUILDS FOR CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITION:

Both coaches expressed optimism heading into the meet, pointing to robust seed occasions and particular person efficiency objectives throughout the roster.

“We’ve got a lot of fast swimming coming up,” Hurley mentioned. “All the swimmers have set goals, and I think we’ve got a real good chance of hitting a lot of those. We’ve got some really good seeds going into the meet, and I think we’re going to be right in the mix in every single race.”

Fans are inspired to return out and help the Red Flash in Geneva. Tickets for the NEC Championships can be found right here: