Spectrum Aquatics’ Xcellerator Starting Platforms Used In High-Profile 2014 Championship Swim Meets

Source: Spectrum Aquatics

MISSOULA, MT, March 19, 2014 – Spectrum Aquatics, a leading manufacturer of commercial pool equipment, was selected to manufacture custom Xcellerator starting platforms for Harvard University and the University of Minnesota Swimming and Diving Teams, both of whom are hosting high-profile championship meets during the 2014 swimming season.

Harvard University recently hosted the 2014 Ivy League Championships.  Emerging as the champion, they broke Princeton’s 5-year winning streak and set school records in the 200 free relay as well as setting school and meet records in the 400 medley relay. Commenting on the addition of Xcellerator starting platforms to Harvard’s Blodgett Natatorium, Ulen-Brooks Endowed Head Coach Kevin Tyrell stated, "I appreciated the new Xcellerator blocks at the 2014 Ivy Championships.  Having the ability to use the wedge for individual races and long starting platform for relay starts improved our facility and helped our swimmers get better."

The University of Minnesota, site of the 2014 NCAA  Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships, is the latest Division I university to install Spectrum Xcellerator starting platforms. In an effort to avoid potential meet delays, the NCAA has recently moved to keep the wedge on the blocks for the duration of the championships. "Our athletes feel much more powerful starting off the kick-plate. It really allows them to use their entire foot for the push-off.  It’s an overall more athletic start. The kick plates allow the more coordinated athletes to take advantage and harness all of their strength. Knowing you’ve maximized the power of your start brings more confidence to break personal bests, and that’s what our athletes want,” commented Theresa Ganely, Head Women’s Coach.

“We are extremely excited to see our Xcellerator starting platforms leading to such good results for the swimmers that use them, and we support NCAA’s decision to keep the wedge on during relay events. We believe swimmers will find that the larger-sized platform provides ample room for a competitive start in these events,” commented Anita Sayed, Senior Vice President/Group Manager Aquatics, PlayCore.

This USA Swimming/FINA-approved starting platform can be seen at the women’s NCAA Championships, held at the University of Minnesota University Aquatic Center in Minneapolis, MN on March 20-22.  You can also view Spectrum’s  Xcellerator starting platform displays at several upcoming trade shows: The 2014 College Swim Coaches Association Convention (Las Vegas, NV), the Central States Swim Clinic (Oakbrook, IL), or the American Swim Coaches Association World Clinic (Jacksonville, FL).

About Spectrum Aquatics®
Spectrum Aquatics is a leader in the aquatics industry and has been committed to the development of high-quality competitive swim and commercial aquatics equipment for the past 40 years. The company is headquartered in Missoula, MT and is a division of PlayCore. More information is available about Spectrum Aquatics at spectrumproducts.com.

About PlayCore®
PlayCore helps build stronger communities around the world by advancing play through research, programs, and partnerships. The company infuses this learning into their complete family of brands. PlayCore combines best in class planning and education programs with the most comprehensive array of recreation products available to create solutions that match the unique needs of each community we serve. More information is available about PlayCore at playcore.com.