How many college students have a commitment at 4:50 a.m. every day?

In all likelihood, the number is small. The prospect of class at 8 a.m. might even be too daunting for many students to undertake.

For the swimming and diving team at Saint Louis University, however, this is the sort of massive effort that will be expected throughout the course of the season until February.

A little more than a month into their seasons, the men’s and women’s teams have already faced plenty of challenges, both internally and in terms of competition. Injuries ranging from asthma, to back problems, to concussions have been a nuisance. Not to mention the increasing sickness and fatigue, which is typical of the transitioning season.

“They just need to stay healthy,” head coach Jim Halliburton said. “They can get tired and sick this time of year, and right around now is a hard time.”

The team has been up to the challenge, thanks to its rigorous training and effort. The adversity thus far has translated into solid performances in the pool and what Halliburton considers a successful start to the season.

“I think we’re right where we want to be, but not above,” sophomore Stephen Sheridan said.

With over three months of competition remaining, the teams are at a stage where different swimmers can try to compete in different events. Ideally, this will give Halliburton the opportunity to assess where his swimmers are most comfortable and the best asset to the team.

And in the meantime, the training picks up in intensity.

“November is a pretty solid training month for us,” Sheridan said. “Everyone has been working hard.”

This formidable commitment to working hard is especially apparent in the team’s emphasis on dry-land training.

“With the new weight room and coaches, we’ve really been hitting the dry-land training hard,” sophomore Jordan Hagar said. “The dry land can be very intense at times, but we are all in it together.”

Mike Lane, G.A. for Strength and Conditioning in the Department of Athletics, has been integral this season in his assistance with unique dry-land training techniques. Some workouts are as simple as pull-ups, but it’s not uncommon for the swimmers to flip tires, or even carry each other for strength training.

“It’s not crazy, just unconventional,” Lane said.

The fact that the swimmers are, literally, carrying each other is fitting and indicative of the type of attitude embodied by the team.

“I would have to say the greatest strength of the swim team is the support system,” Hagar said.?”It is more like a family away from home.”

If one thing is unquestionable about the team this year, it is certainly the work ethic. Lane has even been approached by some athletes who ask for additional workouts.

“I think the swimming team has done a remarkable job in their discipline to get up every morning,” Lane said. “They’re my favorite team to work with every day of the week.”

A true test is next for the Billikens, as they prepare for the Nov. 14-15 trip to Indianapolis to face Xavier, Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

Halliburton acknowledges that this will be a difficult stretch of meets, but this type of challenge has been typical for the team this year.