Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh to open 2013-14 season this weekend with high hopes
10/23/2013 5:39:00 PM | Swimming and Diving
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh swimming and diving teams will kick off the 2013-14 season with a busy slate of action this weekend. The Mountain Hawks will head to West Chester Friday for a tri-meet with the Golden Rams and Bloomsburg, before heading to New Jersey on Saturday to swim against Rider.
Head coach Rob Herb begins his tenth season with the Mountain Hawks looking to build on a strong finish at the Patriot League Championships, where the men finished fourth and the women took fifth.
On the men's side, 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 Herb. "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."
The Lehigh women finished last season with a 1-5 record during the dual meet season, with the lone win coming against archrival Lafayette. The team had a strong showing at the Patriot League Championships, with several swimmers finishing in the top ten in a range of events and the team finishing fifth overall.
Herb expects a breakout season for his young squad that welcomes five freshmen to go along with six sophomores, five juniors and one senior.
"We have a real shot to get several women on the podium at Patriot's this year," said Herb. "We'd also love to see improvement all around, including a winning dual meet record."
Sophomores Courtney Patterson and Carolyn Koch, two swimmers who made a splash as freshmen year breaking multiple school records and qualifying for the championship final in several events, highlight the team. Both garnered All-Patriot League honors at the end of last season following their huge meet performances.
Patterson is part of a group of distance women that enjoyed much success last season as she set school marks in the 500 and 1000 free. Freshmen Kelly Carroll and Cora Summerfield will look to make a huge impact in the distance events right away.
"We have a strong group of freshmen coming in this year," said Samuels. "Most of the girls coming in are going to make a huge impact. It's exciting."
The team will also look to strong performances from juniors Mary Caitlin Samuels and Alissa Leung. Samuels took fifth in the 200 fly at Patriots Last season while adding an 11th place finish in the 100. Leung, the 100 back school record holder, looks to continue her college success as she leads the team in the backstroke and IM events.
The sprinters are led by sophomore standout Carolyn Koch, who looks to build off of a momentous finish to last season. Her group gains a huge boost from freshman Kaitlyn Ruffing, a 50 and 100 freestyler who will also help a lot on relays.
"Our freshman class is a huge strength this year," said Herb. "Kaitlyn Ruffing and Kelly Carroll will especially be a huge wake up call to the league."
The dual meet season is highlighted by a home showdown against archrival Lafayette. Lehigh swam to its fifth consecutive win against the team from Easton and will look to extend that streak on November 22.
"It's always a fun and exciting meet," said Samuels. "It will be awesome having it at home and having so many Lehigh fans in the stands cheering us on. It definitely motivates us."
"It's always my favorite meet of the season," echoed Herb.
With a month and a half of training under their belts, the Mountain Hawks are ready to get the meet season underway and improve on last season.
"Our team is much more dedicated this year," said Samuels. "We have a lot clearer focus and determination to achieve our goals.
"We hope to kick off the season the right way this weekend and try to pick up some big wins."
Friday's meet gets underway at 6 p.m. from West Chester's Graham Natatorium. Saturday's meet begins at 1 p.m. from Coppola Pool in Lawrenceville, N.J. Lehigh will open its home slate on Saturday November 2, when the Mountain Hawks welcome Patriot League foe Colgate and the NJIT men's team for a 1 p.m. meet.
Story by Connor Cackovic '14
Head coach Rob Herb begins his tenth season with the Mountain Hawks looking to build on a strong finish at the Patriot League Championships, where the men finished fourth and the women took fifth.
On the men's side, 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 Herb. "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."
The Lehigh women finished last season with a 1-5 record during the dual meet season, with the lone win coming against archrival Lafayette. The team had a strong showing at the Patriot League Championships, with several swimmers finishing in the top ten in a range of events and the team finishing fifth overall.
Herb expects a breakout season for his young squad that welcomes five freshmen to go along with six sophomores, five juniors and one senior.
"We have a real shot to get several women on the podium at Patriot's this year," said Herb. "We'd also love to see improvement all around, including a winning dual meet record."
Sophomores Courtney Patterson and Carolyn Koch, two swimmers who made a splash as freshmen year breaking multiple school records and qualifying for the championship final in several events, highlight the team. Both garnered All-Patriot League honors at the end of last season following their huge meet performances.
Patterson is part of a group of distance women that enjoyed much success last season as she set school marks in the 500 and 1000 free. Freshmen Kelly Carroll and Cora Summerfield will look to make a huge impact in the distance events right away.
"We have a strong group of freshmen coming in this year," said Samuels. "Most of the girls coming in are going to make a huge impact. It's exciting."
The team will also look to strong performances from juniors Mary Caitlin Samuels and Alissa Leung. Samuels took fifth in the 200 fly at Patriots Last season while adding an 11th place finish in the 100. Leung, the 100 back school record holder, looks to continue her college success as she leads the team in the backstroke and IM events.
The sprinters are led by sophomore standout Carolyn Koch, who looks to build off of a momentous finish to last season. Her group gains a huge boost from freshman Kaitlyn Ruffing, a 50 and 100 freestyler who will also help a lot on relays.
"Our freshman class is a huge strength this year," said Herb. "Kaitlyn Ruffing and Kelly Carroll will especially be a huge wake up call to the league."
The dual meet season is highlighted by a home showdown against archrival Lafayette. Lehigh swam to its fifth consecutive win against the team from Easton and will look to extend that streak on November 22.
"It's always a fun and exciting meet," said Samuels. "It will be awesome having it at home and having so many Lehigh fans in the stands cheering us on. It definitely motivates us."
"It's always my favorite meet of the season," echoed Herb.
With a month and a half of training under their belts, the Mountain Hawks are ready to get the meet season underway and improve on last season.
"Our team is much more dedicated this year," said Samuels. "We have a lot clearer focus and determination to achieve our goals.
"We hope to kick off the season the right way this weekend and try to pick up some big wins."
Friday's meet gets underway at 6 p.m. from West Chester's Graham Natatorium. Saturday's meet begins at 1 p.m. from Coppola Pool in Lawrenceville, N.J. Lehigh will open its home slate on Saturday November 2, when the Mountain Hawks welcome Patriot League foe Colgate and the NJIT men's team for a 1 p.m. meet.
Story by Connor Cackovic '14
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