Swim team performs well at Centre meet after returning from trip
The Asbury College Swimming & Diving team returned from a relief mission trip to Pass Christian, Mississippi over the break from January 3-8. The team assisted with ongoing cleanup in the area, helping the local community in its effort after Hurricane Katrina. Work included helping hang dry-wall, paint exteriors, and clean up water-damaged homes throughout the area.
The group stayed at a makeshift tent village for volunteer workers and at the First United Methodist Church of Pass Christian while training in the city of Biloxi's natatorium, one of the structures in the area lucky to have survived the hurricane's wrath. The team would train during the morning and worked in the afternoon and evenings.
"We got so much more out of this trip than training and service, being able to assist and witness a town determined to rebuild," said Gary Kempf, Asbury's athletic director and assistant swimming coach.
The trip also involved stopping at Dreamland BBQ, a famous restaurant in the south, located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama during the trip down, as well as a movie night to see Night at the Museum.
"We fell in love with the people of Pass Christian who have simply refused to abandon their home after the hurricane," added head coach Dorothy Kempf. "The team was grateful for the trip, allowing them to put swimming in perspective."
The team returned to action in the pool only three days after their arrival from the trip, participating in the Centre Invitational on Saturday, January 13th. The meet concluded with a strong showing from the Eagles, witness to their 10 swimmers now qualified for the national meet to be held in San Antonio, Texas from February 28th to March 3rd.
Tagged: pass-christian-mississippi, swimming-diving and athletics
