Collegiate Athletes to Train and Compete at Key Largo’s Orange Bowl Swim Classic

KEY LARGO, Florida Keys — Lured by Key Largo’s subtropical weather and a first-class training facility, hundreds of the nation's finest collegiate swimmers are to meet and compete in a popular monthlong training session that culminates in the Orange Bowl Swimming Classic, set for Wednesday, Jan. 3.

Anchored by South Florida’s Orange Bowl Football Classic, the annual competition kicks off the New Year at the Jacobs Aquatic Center, mile marker 99.6 oceanside in Key Largo, as a sprint-style meet that features several fast-paced swimming events.

The competition is expected to start at 10 a.m. and continue until noon. Admission is free to watch.

Several men and women who have either trained at the Jacobs Aquatic Center swimming facility or participated in a past Orange Bowl Swim Classic have gone on to pursue Olympic gold.

Nine college teams are scheduled to attend winter training including Michigan’s Kalamazoo College, West Virginia University, University of Columbia, Washington College, Loyola and Monmouth University.

In addition to the monthlong training, Texas A&M, University of South Dakota and Pennsylvania’s Duquesne University also are slated to compete in the Jan. 3 swimming classic.

A post-contest awards social and dinner follow the meet at the Jacobs Aquatic Center, where spectators are welcome to interact with the swimmers and coaches.

Event information: jacobsaquaticcenter.org or 305-453-SWIM (305-453-7946)

Key Largo visitor information: fla-keys.com/keylargo or 1-800-822-1088

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