College Athletes to Compete at Orange Bowl Swim Classic in Florida Keys Jan. 3

KEY LARGO, Florida Keys — Hundreds of college swimmers from around the country, some who have pursued Olympic gold, are to meet and compete in the open-to-spectators Orange Bowl Swimming Classic Monday, Jan. 3, the culmination of an annual monthlong winter training session in Key Largo.

The warm winter competition, one of a series of events surrounding South Florida’s Orange Bowl football playoff weekend, kicks off the New Year at the Jacobs Aquatic Center, mile marker 99.6 oceanside. A series of fast-paced swimming events characterizes the sprint-style meet.

Several men’s and women’s teams are scheduled to compete in the Swim Classic including the Keys’ own College of the Florida Keys, Northern Michigan University, Indiana’s Valparaiso University, Babson College of Massachusetts and the Colby-Sawyer College of New Hampshire.

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

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

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