The Elizabethtown college men and women’s swim teams hope to improve on their 2012-2013 records when they open their season on Saturday, Oct. 26 at York College. The men’s team went 3-9 last season and placed 9th at the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Championships while the women went 2-10 and placed 10th at MAC Championships. Both teams graduated key members of their team last year, but a core group of underclassmen and a great incoming first-year class is allowing both teams to look to improve their records.
Both teams are lead by Head Coach Mark Wilson. Since he became head coach in 2012, he has been looking to turn the program into a powerhouse in the area. Wilson, a Millersville University graduate, has vast experience in competitive swimming that will help aid the team this upcoming season. The coaching staff is rounded out by Assistant Coach Slater Waltz.
For the men’s team, Andrew Malik and Michael Rentschler are the only two seniors on the team. However, there is a strong junior class behind them; the Jays are primed to improve on their 3-9 record, but this won’t come easily.
Juniors Frank Capria and Ryan Supplee also look to improve on their sophomore campaigns. Capria, who was named Middle Atlantic Conference Player of the Week last year, talked about the influx of new talent that will be paired with the returning veterans.
“We have a lot of new, fresh faces on the squad this season. We are looking to bounce back after losing in the MAC Championships last year to Kings College and Arcadia University,” Capria. “We think we have the talent to succeed and go really far this season, and I am really looking forward to our first meet.”
Five of the first six meets are against conference opponents, including the MAC team champions Albright College, Messiah College and Lycoming College. With this difficult first half of the schedule, the Jays will use the back half of the season to prepare for the MAC Championships in York, Pa.
The women’s team is also a young group of swimmers, lead by seniors Megan Leary and Megan Leppo. While Leary and Leppo are the only seniors on the team, the sophomores and juniors make up the bulk of the team. The team will face MAC champions Albright, Messiah and Lycoming in the first half of the season and Widener in their last home meet.
The Jays look to get off the blocks quickly and get a big win at the season opener this Saturday Oct. 26 at York College. They then have their first home meet on Nov. 2 at 1p.m. when they face off against conference opponent Arcadia.
