CeraVe Invitational: A Meet To Remember

Photo Courtesy: Heidi Torregroza

By Swimming World intern Brad Klein

PISCATAWAY – At the 24th annual CeraVe Invitational, several clubs highlighted the winners circle from New Jersey, Maryland and elsewhere in New England. For all of these clubs, CeraVe is their first long meet since Christmas break.

Since this meet is a long course meet, it is a good opportunity for the athletes to test what they have been working on in practice, and improve on their weaknesses. North Baltimore Aquatic Club’s Cole Buese, one of the top-ranked swimmers in the country said “It is nice to see where I am (training-wise at this meet). Here, it is really about figuring out pacing. On long-distance races, I am all pumped up for the horn to sound, then I go all out. At the end, I’m tired.”

All of the swimmers and all of the teams fight until the end. “All of these teams come from different places, they show off their talent, and they try to win,” said North Baltimore coach Erik Posegay, who has been taking his team to this meet for three straight years.

It’s all about having fun as weel. Through grueling training, and the long travel to get to Piscataway, the swimmers enjoy being in the water and competing at a high level. Three-year CeraVe veteran Ryan Yarayan of North Baltimore said, “It is fun to be in the water with the other swimmers, to spend time with my team on the bus, and to set high standards for our club.”

The legacy that past CeraVe swimmers have left motivate the current athletes and aspire them to succeed. Long Island Aquatic Club’s Delany Hall, a five-year veteran of the meet, said, “It is really special for us to swim at a meet like this. All the Olympians and the professionals that have swum here make it overwhelming to perform. But, it does push us to train harder and swim faster.”

North Baltimore’s Sierra Schmidt said that she likes this meet because it is a challenge in many aspects.

“In other meets, I never swim three long course races in one night,” she said. “It is a challenge mentally and physically.”

Not only is the challenge of the events appealing to her, but the CeraVe swim meet holds a special place in Schmidt’s heart.

“I love this pool, and I have friends that swim for Rutgers,” she said. “My favorite part of coming here to swim is to ride the bus with my team, and hang out with my friends, and get to know them again. I have a lot of good memories here. I couldn’t imagine not swimming here.”

Every swimmer will have to grapple with the fact that eventually their swimming careers will take them beyond the CeraVe Invitational. Cole Buese, bound for Princeton in the fall, said: “This is my last time here. It is kind of bitter sweet. I’m going to miss it.”

Click the links below to read more articles from our Swimming World interns from this month’s CeraVe Invitational:

A View Of Swimming From a Non-Swimmer’s Perspective
Harrison Homans Ready For Challenges In New Age Group
Finding the Many Perks In Swimming
Excellent Swimming at Eastern Express
Safety Marshals Enjoying the Experience At CeraVe Invite
New Year’s Tradition Bringing Good Fortune To Danny Kim
A Swimmer’s Dilemma: Finding the Balance In Swimming, Academics and Social Life
Coaches, Swimmers Talk Race Strategy At CeraVe Invite
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