“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

That quote from Thomas Edison is written on the white board at EC’s pool right above “Congratulations Erica Shaw.”

Shaw didn’t miss the opportunity to break the 200-meter backstroke college record at the Pasadena Invitational April 3-4.

“(Shaw) knew what time she had to beat going into the event, so she was prepared,” captain Shon Page said.

Shaw knew she had beat Leanne Chimo’s 1996 record by three and a half seconds as soon as she looked at the clock.

“It was very exciting. The team just loves it when anyone from our team does something really well,” coach Corey Stanbury said.

A total of 14 colleges participated at Pasadena, including South Coast Conference rivals Cerritos and Mt. San Antonio Colleges.

The men placed 10th while the women placed 14th at Pasadena

“It was our last swim before (conference qualifiers),” freestyle swimmer Candace Smith said. “It was a good chance to see who is going to swim what event at conference and fine tune everything.”

But there are still many factors the swim team is counting on, such as tapering, shaving and the new swimsuits that arrived April 6.

The Tracer suits by Tyr are very similar to the suits used in the Olympics.

“These suits set world records,” distance swimmer Mark Rehbein said. “I am just stoked to wear it, race in it and see what it is like.”

The team is allowed to try on the suits, which are really tight, but are not allowed to get into the water with them on.

“(Stanbury) does not want us to have the feeling of being in the suit until conference,” Smith said.

Along with these suits, the Warriors have another trick up their sleeve-tapering.

“Tapering is where you cut down on the amount of work you are doing so the body has a chance to rest and rebound, making the swimmer feel really strong and fresh,” Stanbury said.

During the season, swimmers swim twice a day totalling 10,000 yards.

However, when the team tapers, it does one workout a day and swims anywhere from 2,500 yards to 3,000 yards.

“On top of (training) they will shave their legs, arms, back, and chest,” Stanbury said.

“(Stanbury) has it down to a science,” Rehbein said.

Stanbury gives the team credit for its success.

“They have trained really hard and are very dedicated. They seem to be at a really good place,” Stanbury said

With two weeks until the conference championships at Chaffey, the Warriors are beginning to feel nervous and excited at the same time.

“It’s intense. Swimming is really mental,” Smith said.

“Everybody has had great times going into conference. We are still going strong right now,” Page said.

Women’s captain Alex Stumpf said she believes the Warriors will do well in conference.

“With tapering, the suits, the shaving, it will equal amazing times,” Stumpf said.

The state swim championships will be held Apr 23-25 at Saddleback College.