Strength in numbers

With the addition of eight freshman and a walk-on sophomore, the 2003-2004 men’s swimming and diving team has nearly doubled the size of its team from last year. The squad boasts many talented new faces that will complement a solid returning group.The team is up to 21 members this year and the added depth and talent will have an immediate impact on the men’s standings within the UCAA and UAA conferences as well as the swimming world of Division III.”These men are at the point where they will be able to make a name for UR as a strong swimming school, with a few standout individuals and relays, the coaching staff is looking forward to a very exciting season,” Head Coach Eric Stefanski said.The talent of the men’s team has been much improved through recruitment – with a strong freshman class – and the return of solid swimmers. The team will be captained by seniors Brian Immerman and Mike Tynan who are among those impact returners.Other strong returning men are senior Mike McCormick, junior Pete Maxwell and sophomore Ted Elton. Immerman will specialize in the backstroke while McCormick will add strength in the butterfly. Maxwell will contribute in both the freestyle and backstroke and Elton will serve as UR’s lone diver – talented off the one and three meter.In addition to the returning swimmers, a strong, talented freshman class will be a tremendous addition. Amongst the newcomers to the team are freshmen Zachary Freed, Daniel Linge, Brian MacIlvain and Craig Matt. Freed will add to the freestyle, butterfly and Individual Medley races. Linge will swim backstroke and sprint freestyle events. MacIlvain will join Linge in the sprint freestyle. Matt will make an all-around contribution by adding talent in the freestyle, butterfly, IM and breaststroke. Sophomore Ian Areces did not swim last year but will be an instant addition in the sprint freestyle.The added talent gives the men a great shot at sending a relay and individuals to NCAA’s. The men will also look to improve on last year’s seventh place finish in the UAA and will aim to win the UCAA conference. After opening with strong wins over SUNY Brockport and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute the men will be prepping for the Conference Championships and meets against Ithaca College and Union College.Fitzsimmons can be reached at afitzsimmons@campustimes.org.