By: Taylor Burton and Jamie Smith | Staff Writers
Code Reds are can’t-miss events at the University of Lynchburg, which ultimately made this past week an exciting one. With both a men’s soccer Code Red on Wednesday and men’s and women’s swim on Saturday, the stands for both teams have been packed with eager fans excited to cheer on their athletes.
For many athletes, a Code Red is so much more than just a regular meet or game. “It means a lot,” said Andrew Fiore, a senior on the swim team. “Swimming can sometimes feel like an individual sport because you’re the person in the lane, but having your teammates and the Lynchburg community cheering for you reminds you that you’re not doing it alone. That support can give you an extra push when you’re tired.”
For Cristobal Massanet, a junior on the Men’s soccer team, Code Red is a celebration. “Code Red is an important date, where we get to celebrate not just the work we put in, but we get to show it to the rest of the student-athletes,” he said.
Evan Pask, a senior on the Lynchburg Men’s soccer team, said, “Code Red is a chance to show our school who we are and what we’re about.”
For both swimming and soccer, Code Red events are a time to feel the support from your teammates, but also the community, peers, and other athletes, too.
Kailen Craddock, a junior swimmer on the girl’s side said “The team’s energy is really exciting but focused,” which makes these meets all the more palpable.
Code Red games can also bring a higher stress or intensity, with everyone watching. A junior on Men’s soccer, Kohlby Wilson, gives a nod to the captains and coaches for mitigating the extra pressure of the game.
“There is definitely more stress, knowing that we are being watched by the student body,” he said. “The coaches and captains lead by example by staying calm before, during and after the game.”
This meet was specifically exciting for the swimmers, not only just because it was a Code Red meet but also because it was their first dual meet, after having weeks of straight training.
Even though swimming can sometimes appear to be an individual event, senior Rylee Champney, feels the exact opposite when she is supporting her team. “Seeing my teammates’ hard work and training pay off in their races,” she said, “watching them apply all of our drill work and sets into their races and seeing their improvement over the past few weeks.”
For more information about upcoming Code Red games, visit the University of Lynchburg Athletics page.
