---

The art of the taper....

No, not tape measure, not masking tape, not tape-worm. Taper, you know the word that swimmers use, answer to, and in some cases worship. At section time, it’s almost like the practice is taking more seriously than Thanksgiving, or even Christmas. So what is it?

“That’s what I shoot for all year. Our main goal is always the two days at sections and we do what we do based on how well we taper,” said Ed Wakefield, Chisago Lakes head girls swimming coach. “You build up yardage as the year goes on. The practices get harder with less rest. We swim more and more yards. Then three weeks before sections, we have hell week. We really work the girls hard during that time. The goal is to really tire them out and then give them a rest right before sections.”

The idea is simple. After taking their body to the brink of exhaustion, the swimmers get a break, just enough to catch their second wind right in time for sections. That’s when they make their move.

The formula has worked for Wakefield in the past. Last season, the Wildcats won the section meet, two years ago-second. This season, if the taper works like it was in the past, who knows what can happen.

“What has really amazed me was that, against Mahtomedi, that was after our fourth day of hell week,” remarked Wakefield. “They were really tired and they just gutted it out. With a little rest, I really think that we can give Milaca a run.”

Wakefield knows what he’s talking about. You can’t argue with the results. When it comes to the art of the taper, Wakefield continues to paint masterpiece after masterpiece. He rarely deviates from his end of the season format. It’s a formula he borrowed from his his high coach.

“A lot of what I do is based on what my high school coach did to me,” smiled Wakefield. “He has always been the taper master. Most of what I do came from him.”

Wakefield will see first hand how his taper will work this week as the ‘Cats compete in the section swimming and diving meet. For complete results, check out next week’s edition of the Chisago County Press.

---