Friday, October 25
West Chester, Pa.
6:00:00 PM
Lehigh University
at
West Chester
Season Preview: Lehigh men look to build on recent success
10/23/2013 5:23:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh men's swimming and diving team will kick off its 2013-14 campaign on Friday when the Mountain Hawks hit the road to take on West Chester and Bloomsburg in a tri-meet at West Chester. The Mountain Hawks look to build off of a strong finish to last season, as they finished fourth at the Patriot League Championships.
Lehigh finished with a 3-4 dual meet record last season including a 2-2 mark in Patriot League meets. The season was highlighted by the team's ninth straight win against archrival Lafayette as well as a strong win at Colgate.
This year's dual meet season is highlighted by a home meet versus Lafayette on November 22. The team also faces Patriot League newcomer Loyola and league rival Bucknell in January home meets.
"We want to have a winning dual meet season this year," said head coach Rob Herb, who begins his tenth season with the program. "We'd also like to get 15 guys up on the podium at Patriot's."
The team saw a lot of success last season in the sprint program and looks to continue that trend despite losing school record holder Demetri Karedis. Herb welcomes a strong group of freshmen that will help fill the voids left by the graduated seniors.
"Jamal Willis is one of our freshmen who will be a guy to watch," said Herb. "He'll swim the 50 and 100 freestyle as well as most of the relays so he'll make a big impact right away."
Senior Chris Hoke leads the sprint group this season. Hoke garnered All-Patriot League first team honors last season after a strong showing at Patriot League Championships. He qualified for the championship final in all three of his events, including a second place finish in the 50 free. Hoke was also part of the school-record setting 200 free relay that took first at the meet.
"I think this year's team is the strongest that we've had since I've been here," said Hoke. "We obviously want a winning dual meet record but are also looking for big things at the championship meet. This team has the potential for a few Patriot League champions, both individually and in relays."
Along with Hoke, senior Matt Chrzanowski, who saw a lot of success on last year's relays, leads the sprint group.
According to Herb, the biggest difference between this team and team's he's had in the past is the balance. The team is strong not only in the sprinting events, but also within the distance program.
"We've got a strong group of guys in the longer events," said junior Danny Bennett, who was named to the All-Patriot League team last season after finishing in the top 10 in the 1650 free, the 400 individual medley and the 500 free. "The 400 IM will be really strong and the 500 free could be one of the team's best events."
This year's team includes an experienced group of swimmers with 14 upperclassmen among the 24 athletes on the roster. Junior distance swimmers Eric Sherwood and Jake Greene look to make big splashes this season after breakout performances at last year's championship meet. Along with Bennett, the group will provide huge sparks in dual meets.
The Mountain Hawks began training the first week of September. With the team haven't yet to compete, Friday's meet comes just at the right time.
"We have all been working really hard, starting since the summer," said Hoke. "The training we've been doing has been the best I've ever seen. We're all itching to start racing."
Fridays meet is slated to start at 6 p.m. The Mountain Hawks will face a tough test start the year dealing with a quick turnaround as they head to New Jersey the following morning for a meet against Rider.
Story by Connor Cackovic '14
Lehigh finished with a 3-4 dual meet record last season including a 2-2 mark in Patriot League meets. The season was highlighted by the team's ninth straight win against archrival Lafayette as well as a strong win at Colgate.
This year's dual meet season is highlighted by a home meet versus Lafayette on November 22. The team also faces Patriot League newcomer Loyola and league rival Bucknell in January home meets.
"We want to have a winning dual meet season this year," said head coach Rob Herb, who begins his tenth season with the program. "We'd also like to get 15 guys up on the podium at Patriot's."
The team saw a lot of success last season in the sprint program and looks to continue that trend despite losing school record holder Demetri Karedis. Herb welcomes a strong group of freshmen that will help fill the voids left by the graduated seniors.
"Jamal Willis is one of our freshmen who will be a guy to watch," said Herb. "He'll swim the 50 and 100 freestyle as well as most of the relays so he'll make a big impact right away."
Senior Chris Hoke leads the sprint group this season. Hoke garnered All-Patriot League first team honors last season after a strong showing at Patriot League Championships. He qualified for the championship final in all three of his events, including a second place finish in the 50 free. Hoke was also part of the school-record setting 200 free relay that took first at the meet.
"I think this year's team is the strongest that we've had since I've been here," said Hoke. "We obviously want a winning dual meet record but are also looking for big things at the championship meet. This team has the potential for a few Patriot League champions, both individually and in relays."
Along with Hoke, senior Matt Chrzanowski, who saw a lot of success on last year's relays, leads the sprint group.
According to Herb, the biggest difference between this team and team's he's had in the past is the balance. The team is strong not only in the sprinting events, but also within the distance program.
"We've got a strong group of guys in the longer events," said junior Danny Bennett, who was named to the All-Patriot League team last season after finishing in the top 10 in the 1650 free, the 400 individual medley and the 500 free. "The 400 IM will be really strong and the 500 free could be one of the team's best events."
This year's team includes an experienced group of swimmers with 14 upperclassmen among the 24 athletes on the roster. Junior distance swimmers Eric Sherwood and Jake Greene look to make big splashes this season after breakout performances at last year's championship meet. Along with Bennett, the group will provide huge sparks in dual meets.
The Mountain Hawks began training the first week of September. With the team haven't yet to compete, Friday's meet comes just at the right time.
"We have all been working really hard, starting since the summer," said Hoke. "The training we've been doing has been the best I've ever seen. We're all itching to start racing."
Fridays meet is slated to start at 6 p.m. The Mountain Hawks will face a tough test start the year dealing with a quick turnaround as they head to New Jersey the following morning for a meet against Rider.
Story by Connor Cackovic '14
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