After seven days off, the Penn State men's swimming team set off for Naples, Fla., for two weeks of training and re-energizing.

"Just being down there in the sun, the guys get a renewed attitude and energy, so really not a lot changed," coach John Hargis said.

The team has traveled to Florida for several years, and Hargis kept the tradition going in his first year as head coach. He said the team didn't heavily alter its training routine while in Naples, but it did work on some long course training.

Despite training every day in Florida, the Nittany Lions were able to avoid any serious injuries. Hargis said a few of the players were sick, but it was nothing serious, and nobody would miss any time.

Senior Patrick Schirk said the weather in Florida gave him new energy for the rest of the season, but Naples didn't have much to offer.

"It only rained one day we were there, but we were pretty much alone down there, so we really focused on our training," Schirk said.

With only six weeks until the Big Ten Championships, the training over break was the peak of the season, according to assistant coach Aaron Mahaney. The training up to this point had been to build a solid foundation, and the next four weeks would start a new cycle.

"We've worked all first semester getting a real good base, now we just have to add the speed component and maintain all the work we did," Mahaney said.

Hargis said that being away from Penn State and classes allowed the team to focus solely on training. With Big Tens looming, the team will also begin to shift towards working on detail work. Though the heavy work and distance swimming will decrease in the coming weeks, Hargis said the intensity will increase but the players will get more rest.

The coaches are not expecting any kind of layoff heading into their match this weekend at Maryland. The Lions will compete against the Terrapins, Pittsburgh and Villanova on Friday and Saturday.

Hargis said he has made adjustments through the year, but he stressed all coaches have to adjust, and this being his first year in charge played a role in his changes.

"I coach a lot off of what my athletes look like coming in the door," Hargis said.

"I think every coach in the business has to make adjustments, especially a new coach."