Sept. 4, 2008

Coming off of two second place finishes at the 2008 Atlantic 10 Indoor and Outdoor Championships, the Dayton Flyers are back and looking to capitalize on last season's success. Senior captain Sarah Allen describes the first week back and why it is the best week at UD.

By Sarah Allen
The first week back at UD has to be one of the best weeks of the school year.

Within the first couple of days back, we had our first team meeting. It was really great to see everyone and catch up on everything. I have to admit that the introductions were my favorite part. Some people just gave the normal name, where they're from, and they're event.

However, you always have someone who throws in something pretty random or hilarious like how they were a McDonald's employee or that they're from the "dirty Lancaster". Also, it is fun to see the new faces and start getting to know the freshman. Once we got through all the "house-keeping" stuff, there were a couple team events planned. This year it was dinner at Panera and a potluck spaghetti dinner.

Since classes are pretty light the first week, it is a perfect time not only to have those team bonding events, but also to relax and enjoy being at Dayton. I know my roommates and I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out together and decorating our new apartment.

We usually ease into practices and weights so there's little stress. Both dinners were really fun as we all reminisced about past years and told our many inside jokes with each other and the coaches.

Being around the team really makes me excited not only to be back at UD, but also pumped for another awesome season ahead.