Sunny skies and warm water will be the difference this break as the Penn State men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams travel to Naples, Fla. to train for the spring.

The Penn State men (2-4) and women (4-1) are coming off third and second place finishes, respectively at the Georgia Invitational last weekend.

“It’ll be nice finally having a chance to swim outside,” senior Kristen Woodring said.

Woodring, the current Penn State record holder in the 100 breaststroke, made the NCAA “A” cut in the same event at the Georgia Invite, automatically qualifying her for the NCAA championships.

This is the third year the team is going to Florida over the winter break and the players have been looking at it as a chance to work toward their goal of finishing in the top of the Big Ten.

“For some groups it’ll be the peak of their training,” Penn State swimming and diving coach Bill Dorenkott said. “And for others it’ll be a natural transition into the spring.”

The Nittany Lions will train along with other schools such as Bucknell and Brown, who also make the winter trip.

From Florida, the Lions will head north to resume the season when they take on North Carolina.

The No. 14 North Carolina women are coming off a victory against NC State and are 4-1 like the Penn State women. The No. 21 men are 3-2.

“I’m looking forward to the meet,” Dorenkott said.

— By Josh Kowalkowski