Season Preview: Mountain Hawks gearing up for year of normalcy in 2021-22
10/14/2021 8:48:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Everyone is looking for a little bit of normalcy, but especially in the world of collegiate swimming and diving. The 2020-21 season was different in many ways for all of Lehigh's athletic teams, but especially so for the Lehigh men's and women's swimming and diving programs, who did not get a chance to showcase their abilities at the Patriot League Championships in February, changed significantly from the traditional format.
For many on both teams, competition hasn't been anything close to normal since Patriots concluded in Feb. 2020, a month before the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Head coach Rob Herb – entering his 18th season at the helm – is excited to get things started, despite not knowing exactly how competition will go in a much-improved Patriot League field.
"The kids we have coming back on both of teams are doing really well right now," said Herb. "Our first years have done some really good things so far, but they are untested, so I'm interested to see how they stack up in their first competition this weekend.
"On the women's side, we certainly have the depth heading into the new year, and for Patriot League Championships, it will definitely work out well for us in that area."
On the men's side, the Mountain Hawks return 11 letter-winners from the 2020-21 season, losing four to graduation. Most notably, 2020 Second Team All-Patriot League selection Glenn Lasco returns for his senior season. Other upperclassmen returnees include seniors Joey Rogers, Connor Sept, Owen Thomas and fifth-year Joe Huber.
Leading the way for the underclassmen is Connor Goodyear and Tim Norris, two names Herb expects to see big things from this season.
"Connor is the most enthusiastic of the bunch and then Tim has shown a lot of speed so far, but it's still really early to tell," Herb said.
Now under the leadership of Lehigh alum, graduate assistant and diving coach Tyler Keller, Lehigh's lone male diver is senior Addison Cochran, who has certainly put in the work to guide the Mountain Hawks in that aspect of the team.
Participating in just two scored meets last season, the Mountain Hawks went 1-1 with a loss to Bucknell and a victory at the tail end of the season against archrival Lafayette, the 29th straight win for Lehigh. This season, a more normal season gets underway with seven meets on the docket (with the possibility of eight), kicking off with Loyola Maryland on Saturday afternoon.
On the women's side, the potential for excellence is there, but staying healthy will be important for prolonged success in a grueling campaign of meets. 12 letter-winners return to the fold as six depart from the roster. Headlining the Mountain Hawks is fifth year senior Ann Foley, a three-time All-Patriot League selection and 2019 individual champion in the 50 freestyle event. 2021 Freshman Swimmer of the Year Noel Fresa is looking forward to having big things come her way in the season to come.
In diving, the Mountain Hawks have two women that will look to make an impact with Emma Camp and freshman Sarah Gill following the graduation of former Patriot League Champion Megan Fennell.
A real bright spot this season is Lehigh's relay teams, which Herb hopes will make some serious noise towards the end of the season at Patriots.
"We're probably going to be looking hard at what we can do this season with our medley relays," said Herb. "We have really solid swimmers in freestyle, butterfly, backstroke and breaststroke. We definitely see a chance to do really well in the 400 freestyle relay on the men's side.
"On the women's side, the sprint relays are where our focus will be. Hopefully we will have a little more success in the 800 free relay this season."
Fans, parents and alumni will have an opportunity to watch the Mountain Hawks again at Jacobs Pool this season starting with a pair of home meets next weekend as Lehigh hosts West Chester at 5 p.m. on Oct. 22 and Rider on Oct. 23 at 1 p.m. The program also welcomes Lafayette (Nov. 19) and Bucknell (Jan. 22) to Bethlehem to round out the home schedule.
Like Lehigh Swimming and Diving on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
For many on both teams, competition hasn't been anything close to normal since Patriots concluded in Feb. 2020, a month before the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Head coach Rob Herb – entering his 18th season at the helm – is excited to get things started, despite not knowing exactly how competition will go in a much-improved Patriot League field.
"The kids we have coming back on both of teams are doing really well right now," said Herb. "Our first years have done some really good things so far, but they are untested, so I'm interested to see how they stack up in their first competition this weekend.
"On the women's side, we certainly have the depth heading into the new year, and for Patriot League Championships, it will definitely work out well for us in that area."
On the men's side, the Mountain Hawks return 11 letter-winners from the 2020-21 season, losing four to graduation. Most notably, 2020 Second Team All-Patriot League selection Glenn Lasco returns for his senior season. Other upperclassmen returnees include seniors Joey Rogers, Connor Sept, Owen Thomas and fifth-year Joe Huber.
Leading the way for the underclassmen is Connor Goodyear and Tim Norris, two names Herb expects to see big things from this season.
"Connor is the most enthusiastic of the bunch and then Tim has shown a lot of speed so far, but it's still really early to tell," Herb said.
Now under the leadership of Lehigh alum, graduate assistant and diving coach Tyler Keller, Lehigh's lone male diver is senior Addison Cochran, who has certainly put in the work to guide the Mountain Hawks in that aspect of the team.
Participating in just two scored meets last season, the Mountain Hawks went 1-1 with a loss to Bucknell and a victory at the tail end of the season against archrival Lafayette, the 29th straight win for Lehigh. This season, a more normal season gets underway with seven meets on the docket (with the possibility of eight), kicking off with Loyola Maryland on Saturday afternoon.
On the women's side, the potential for excellence is there, but staying healthy will be important for prolonged success in a grueling campaign of meets. 12 letter-winners return to the fold as six depart from the roster. Headlining the Mountain Hawks is fifth year senior Ann Foley, a three-time All-Patriot League selection and 2019 individual champion in the 50 freestyle event. 2021 Freshman Swimmer of the Year Noel Fresa is looking forward to having big things come her way in the season to come.
In diving, the Mountain Hawks have two women that will look to make an impact with Emma Camp and freshman Sarah Gill following the graduation of former Patriot League Champion Megan Fennell.
A real bright spot this season is Lehigh's relay teams, which Herb hopes will make some serious noise towards the end of the season at Patriots.
"We're probably going to be looking hard at what we can do this season with our medley relays," said Herb. "We have really solid swimmers in freestyle, butterfly, backstroke and breaststroke. We definitely see a chance to do really well in the 400 freestyle relay on the men's side.
"On the women's side, the sprint relays are where our focus will be. Hopefully we will have a little more success in the 800 free relay this season."
Fans, parents and alumni will have an opportunity to watch the Mountain Hawks again at Jacobs Pool this season starting with a pair of home meets next weekend as Lehigh hosts West Chester at 5 p.m. on Oct. 22 and Rider on Oct. 23 at 1 p.m. The program also welcomes Lafayette (Nov. 19) and Bucknell (Jan. 22) to Bethlehem to round out the home schedule.
Like Lehigh Swimming and Diving on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Players Mentioned
Diver
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Dive
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
Dive
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Diver
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
IM/Fly/Free
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
Back/Free
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
Dive
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
Free
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
Sprint Free
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
Free
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
Breast/IM
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
Back/Fly
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