An off-week looms ahead for Eastern’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams as Thanksgiving break approaches.

The team will need to keep a strict regimen of individual practice and exercise throughout the nine-day layoff. But it will be up to the individual swimmers to get into the water and train over break.

Some will go back to their old high schools to work out with former coaches while some will try to find other means to keep up the high level of physical activity.

“I know that I’m going to have a few days rest,” freshman Tom Watson said. “Then I am going to go train at my high school in Bloomington.”

Head coach Ray Padovan knows that not everyone will be able to practice over the break and understands that access to aquatic facilities is limited for some athletes.

Knowing that the next meet is not until Dec. 1 and the impending break in routine, the swim team had a full-fledged week of practice.

Padovan is having a mandatory Sunday night practice at 7 p.m. Nov. 25.

“I want this extra day of practice so we can get back into a normal routine, Padovan said. “If they don’t practice … they’re not in the meet.”

Thanksgiving has the potential to pose a hurdle for each member of the squad.

This will be a test to see how strong the team’s drive and determination is as it pushes their work ethic to unfamiliar territory – home.