<p>Looking for a swimming program that is a good fit for my daughter, now a hs sophomore. She watched her brother go through the search two years ago and learned a lot watching his broad, “I’ll be fine anywhere” approach to things. She plans to be much more methodical and choosy. She has already determined that she’d like to go to a “real” Christian college, and she definitely wants to compete on the varsity level. She’s a solid swimmer with all A or above US Swimming times. She’d prefer a school with a boys’ team that practices with the girls’ team (less girl drama) and where the weather is not abysmal. As if that pool of choices were already not narrow enough for starters, the new wrinkle in her search involves air quality at the natatorium. She was recently diagnosed with asthma or at least debilitating asthma-like symptoms. The physician is rather certain her condition is caused by the poor air quality at her indoor training facility, so that is another potentially limiting factor in the search. Any parents of swimmers at Christian schools (Biola, Wheaton, Asbury, Grove City, etc.) wish to comment? Thank you.</p>
<p>wheaton, westminster, grove city all have great swimming. berry in GA is a newer program …</p>
<p>Do you know anything about the air quality in their pools?</p>
<p>What about a school in California? Not sure which are Christian, but many practice outdoors.</p>
<p>That’s definitely in consideration, although far from her east coast momma!</p>
<p>Asbury is a good pool, its not large but good quality, One that is at the top for swimming is Grand Canyon University but I have found that academically the school is worthless because it is a for-profit school but they practice outdoors. Grove city has one of the better teams for guys and girls for d3, Liberty university only has girls but has a good coach, Berea is free to attend if elegible and participates naia like asbury but not a great team. Here is a site that has a few tips about finding the right school, you may find it helpful…
[College</a> Recruiting Guide for Swimmers](<a href=“http://collegerecruitingforswimmers.blogspot.com/]College”>http://collegerecruitingforswimmers.blogspot.com/)</p>
<p>Thanks, Swimmer4Life1: We do care about academic quality! Can you or anyone else comment specifically on the air quality in the natatoriums of Asbury or Wheaton?</p>
<p>Whitworth in Spokane WA. Not sure about the ventilation system in the pool though</p>
<p>My son swam at Grove City for four years and loved it. The competition pool there has a very good ventilation system. They hold the conference meet there every year as it is the best pool in the conference. The women’s program there is great. I wish you and your daughter all the best in the search for the best program for her.</p>
<p>Thanks, Wildwood Scott! I am actually a Grove City grad from the mid-80s. There is a new competition pool since my years there, so I didn’t know how the air was. We are finding that some of the newer facilities actually have terrible air compared to the old ones because they use more recycled air (because it’s environmentally/economically beneficial) than fresh air. I’m glad to hear the air at GCC is good! </p>
<p>Her issue there is the weather…she is well-aware of the often-gloomy gray skies that predominate in western PA and is not sure she can deal with it. As I learned with my oldest child’s search, there is no “perfect” school…just one that is the best match for the student. Thanks again for your input!</p>
<p>“One that is at the top for swimming is Grand Canyon University but I have found that academically the school is worthless because it is a for-profit school but they practice outdoors”</p>
<p>For Profit means academically it is worthless? Maybe online, but Grand Canyon University’s ground campus has an outstanding reputation for their academic rigor and excellence. Their swim program is excellent and awards full tuition scholarships for students good enough to excel. It would defintely be somewhere to check out.</p>
<p>My guess is that Grand Canyon U. won’t fit the bill beyond sending one every semester. Not a renowned bastian of academic quality. Not many Div II institutions are. Most are utilitarian publics. I’m not aware that GCU books itself as a Christian institution.</p>
<p>Try Chapman University. They now have men and women swimming programs. Two of their swimmers are in the London Olympics.</p>
<p>Cool! Who are they???</p>
<p>^^I meant “they” as in Chapman University. Check out the Chapman’s link for their athletic programs.
[url=<a href=“http://www.chapmanathletics.com/landing/index]Chapman[/url”>Chapman]Chapman[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Malone University in Canton, Ohio is a mid-level academic school - good for average college students. Strong Christian faculty, admits Christian and non-Christian students. They swim at a local HS pool where the Ohio HS finals and college championships are held - phenomenal pool with great air quality. Malone recently switched to NCAA D-II. Great coach, team is only a few years old and developing nicely. Gordon College in Mass is a strong school. Pool is only 6 lane and not the best air quality. They swim NCAA-D-III. Team is cohesive. Main coach was not a swimmer. Messiah College in PA added swimming a few years ago, but I don’t know anything about the pool or program.</p>
<p>Wheaton has a good and very close knit swimming team.</p>
<p>Dear Mother of swimmer - AVOID ASBURY. You will know the minute you walk in. Ventilation is terrible and they have a basket full of inhalers for their swimmers. We loved the school and their atmosphere but the lack of concern for the health of their swimmers was a deal breaker for us with our son. Wheaton also has some fume issues. OLIVET is the answer - brand new beautiful state of the art aquatic center - great coach - Scott Teeters and a Christian environment. It has been a great blessing to our son and such a gorgeous and healthy facility.</p>
<p>Liberty University swims at the NCAA D1 level. And they are building a new pool and Olympic complex. </p>
<p>Liberty also has a history of sending the lady flames to national events. They just sent 5 Swimmers to the U.S. Open in 2013.</p>
<p>[Swimming</a> | Team Page | Liberty Flames](<a href=“http://www.liberty.edu/flames/index.cfm?PID=10854&TeamID=16]Swimming”>http://www.liberty.edu/flames/index.cfm?PID=10854&TeamID=16)</p>
<p><a href=“http://swimswam.com/liberty-begins-construction-on-massive-new-pool-olympic-sports-complex/[/url]”>http://swimswam.com/liberty-begins-construction-on-massive-new-pool-olympic-sports-complex/</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://www.liberty.edu/flames/index.cfm?PID=10869&NewsID=11053&TeamID=[/url]”>http://www.liberty.edu/flames/index.cfm?PID=10869&NewsID=11053&TeamID=</a></p>
<p>Calvin College has an Olympic sized pool that was recently renovated. Last year, the swim team took fourth place in a field filled with Division II competition and several other Division III schools. [Calvin</a> College - Sports Information - Women’s Swimming & Diving](<a href=“http://www.calvin.edu/sports/womens/swimming/]Calvin”>General - Calvin University)</p>