The men’s swimming and diving team currently sits in 7th place in the ACC, and with the conference championships rolling around the corner, it is looking to continue to improve. Seniors, who are making their last trip, and freshman, who are making their first, are positive about the meet.

“I’m a senior now, and I’m just trying to get the most out of this last one,” redshirt senior Stephen Mellor said. “I just want to go there, compete, try to get my best times and if I get a medal, whatever one it is it will be a bonus.”

Mellor said finishing in the top five would be ideal.

“We’re looking to finish as strong as possible and hopefully get into the top five,” Mellor said. “That would be the best finish we’ve had since I’ve been here and that would be a nice way to finish for me.”

Along with improving their position in the conference, several swimmers hope to qualify for the NCAA Championships.

“I really want to qualify for NCAAs in the 500 free,” junior Mason McGee said. “It’s probably going to take another 2 second drop from my best time to make it. A lot of other guys really hope to swim well and qualify also.”

According to Mellor, the team’s traning has shifted in the weeks leading up to the conference tournament.

“Over the last three weeks we’ve gradually phased out some of the hard work, introduced some more easy swimming, and been getting a little more sleep,” Mellor said. “So when you add those things together you feel a little more fresh and ready to go.”

The additional rest for the team should greatly benefit the Pack come the championship, according to McGee.

“All year you pretty much swim tired,” McGee said. “So to put up some of the times we have without any rest, beards and long hair it’s good.”

Before the competition heats up, the team is feeling confident and swimming well. According to coaches and swimmers, the last week of practice has been very productive.

Mellor said a lot of guys are going to swim their best times at this meet. According to McGee, the team is looking good with less than a week until the championships.

“We are looking good,” McGee said. “This past week I’ve heard a lot of guys saying ‘it’s feeling easy.’ It’s great when a week out you’re already feeling that easy speed.”