Overview
With BOSM right around the corner, practice sessions for the Boys Swim Team seem to grow longer and more intense by the day. Cumulatively, every member in the team swims for around 2-2.5km on average every day. Practice usually lasts for about two hours in the evening. Sessions include swimming long stretches at a medium pace followed by rapid short distance sprints, after which they enter a period of cool-down to relax their muscles. Apart from the in-pool workout, the team spends a considerable amount of time in Gym-G doing stretches and sprints to increase their endurance and stamina.
The initial progress for the team was at a much slower pace. Since many members of the team were swimming after five months, it was imperative for them to work on their fitness. As the final week approaches, the regime is set to become more competition specific and individual based. The events include freestyle, butterfly, back and breaststroke of various stretches ranging from 50 to 800 metres.
Past Performance
In the previous edition of BOSM, Boys Swim Team won a total of 22 medals, including 10 gold, 6 silver and 6 bronze medals in the and were placed first overall. In 2016, the team travelled to BITS Dubai to take part in an International sports tournament where they won the overall championship.
Recruitments
This year, about five freshmen have been inducted into the team on probation. The top three or four will be inducted into the team as full time members. The recruitment process for the boy’s team is quite elaborate and takes place over a span of 2-3 weeks. After the initial elimination round, the potential recruits are monitored for the next couple of weeks. Following that final trials are held, where improvement in speed and stamina is measured. With most people coming to campus after several months of zero to little physical activity, the team looks for people with potential in terms of stamina, fitness and speed.
Captain’s Interview
Prayaag Katta, the captain of the Boys’ Swimming Team could be seen relaxing after an intense training session. At six feet, one inch, he is one of the fastest swimmers on the team, having professionally trained under the likes of Padmanabhan – one of the best coaches to have graced the National Aquatics Centre, Bangalore.
Known for his uncanny sense of humour and a nonchalant attitude towards life, Prayaag Katta was introduced to swimming at the tender age of five. “I had my first experience with the pool when I was in my Upper Kindergarten. My father was an exceptional swimmer. He used to take me to the pool quite often”, Katta recalls vividly, describing how he cultivated an interest towards swimming.
Katta has also been a part of one national level and several state level Swim Meets, with a long line of awards and accolades accredited to his name. At the previous edition of BOSM, Katta bagged a total of six medals including three golds and one silver. When asked to comment on his future relationship with the sport, he remarked that he would rather just continue to enjoy the sport as a hobby. In his own words, “The reason is simple: I’m not good enough. I’ve swum against the best in country and I know what it takes to stand there at the top and I don’t think I have it”, said Katta with a firm nod.
When asked how it felt to lead a team, the captain remarked that it was a lot work. “Ensuring that the players turn up regularly for practice, coordinating with coach and the players is all part of my responsibility”, says Katta. However, due to the changes in the BOSM budget this year, there have been some logistic issues with the kit vendors. Katta fears that the swim gear may not turn up on time, which could prove to be quite disastrous for the team.
As a concluding remark, Katta urged the general BITSians to show up for all the Swimming events. “It’s tragic to see other popular sports receive so much attention, whereas the pool events are almost completely neglected”, says Katta. Besides, the cheer from the home crowd would also serve as a boost to the team.