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Men’s Swimming Ready to Contend in 2009-10
HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 16, 2009) – The Stevens Institute of Technology men’s swimming team has a talented group of returners and a strong group of newcomers and should continue to develop into one of the better programs in the nation in 2009-10 after a solid 2008-09 campaign. The Ducks will look to build upon a second-place finish at the ECAC’s, a third-place finish in the Empire 8, and a 40th-place finish at the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships.
Leading the Ducks will be three juniors who have made their mark on the program during the past two seasons. Dan Pecoraro (Lodi, N.J.) holds three different individual records (100- and 200-yard freestyle, 200-yard backstroke) and was a part of two record-setting relay teams. He achieved an NCAA B-cut and should continue to get better this year. Matthew Preedy (Southampton, Pa.) also had a strong 2008-09 and will be relied upon to continue his strong showings in breaststroke and sprint events. Preedy holds the 100-yard breaststroke record and had a hand in 3-of-5 school relay records. Evan Wilson (Oak Harbor, Wash.) was named the Empire 8 Swimmer of the Year after winning three individual conference titles. He competed in three events at the NCAA’s (400-yard individual medley, 1000- and 1650-yard freestyle) and his best finish came in the 400-IM where he took seventh overall and earned All-America accolades.
“I am hoping our veterans can lead both vocally and by example,” said Head Coach Trevor Miele (New York, N.Y.). “They have to get the newcomers to buy-in to our program by displaying strong leadership and work ethic.”
Sophomores Carl Nagle (Little Silver, N.J.), Matthew Smith (Cream Ridge, N.J.), Steve Vealey (Augusta, N.J.), and Ben Watkins (Michigantown, Ind.) all had fantastic freshman seasons and hold high expectations in 2009-10. Nagle holds the 50-free record and should continue to cut that time down, along with his time in other events as the year progresses. Nagle was also a part of the 200-yard freestyle relay team that broke the school-record at the Empire 8’s last year. Smith improved greatly last year and hopes for the same growth this season. A versatile swimmer, Smith will earn valuable points in individual medley, freestyle, and butterfly events. He holds the school-record in the 200-yard butterfly and was a member of the record-setting 800-yard freestyle relay squad. Vealey earned valuable points in duals and at championship meets a season ago. He was a part of 4-of-5 record-holding relay teams and holds the 100-yard freestyle school-mark along with Pecoraro. Watkins also got better and better as last year progressed and earned big points in championship competition a year ago as well. He will be relied upon the backstroke this year.
Once again, Miele has brought in a talented group of newcomers. Alex Benham (Raleigh, N.C.) and John Hu (Oak Harbor, Wash.) will both be immediate contributors in distance and individual medley events, and Daniel Munt (Raleigh, N.C.) and William Wright (Mount Pleasant, S.C.) will be strong in the butterfly. Jack Van Roden (Fallston, Md.) will add depth to the Stevens sprinters and Greg Charriez (Mohegan Lake, N.Y.) is extremely versatile and will have an impact in many different areas.
“There is no denying that we a lot of talent,” Miele said. “I expect us to continue developing into one of the best programs in the region and hope we begin to make a name for ourselves on the national level. We just need to continue to work hard.”
Stevens will open its season at the De Baun Aquatic Center on Saturday afternoon against Montclair State University in one of four home meets this season. The Ducks will then visit New York University the following week before coming back to Hoboken to host The College of New Jersey on November 1 and Misericordia University on November 14. Following competition at the Golden Bear Invitational, Stevens will take 13 days to prepare for its first championship meet of the season in the ECAC’s (December 4-6).
The Ducks will then go on winter break before heading to Aruba for a training trip. The Ducks return home to host Rowan University in their final home meet of the season. They will visit the United States Merchant Marine Academy and SUNY New Paltz to wrap-up the dual-meet season on January 29 and 30, respectively. will be the final dual for Stevens.
Stevens will begin its run at the first Empire 8 title in program history on February 18. The three-day event will wrap-up on the February 20 and at that time Stevens will find out which athletes will be swimming at the NCAA’s.
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