Oct. 7, 2011

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Navy swimming and diving programs will begin their respective 2011-12 seasons Saturday when the Midshipmen face Loyola and George Mason at Mangione Pool on the Loyola campus in Baltimore. The meet between the three programs will start at 11 a.m.

Additionally, the 2011-12 version of the swimming and diving media guide is now available for viewing at NavySports.com(.)

"The first meet is always an exciting time," said Navy men's swimming head coach Bill Roberts. "We are looking forward to the chance to compete again as we all kick off the 2011-12 season."

"We have enjoyed a good month of training and are now anxious for the opportunity to get up and race in a meet," said Navy women's swimming head coach John Morrison.

Navy swept George Mason and Loyola when the teams met at the start of the 2010-11 season in Fairfax, Va. The Navy men's squad posted wins of 201-87 over the host Patriots and 159-133 over the Greyhounds, with the Navy women's program recording a 215-83 victory over George Mason and a 235-65 win over Loyola.

Navy Men's Swimming & Diving Outlook
Overall Outlook
Returners
28 of 41 2011 letterwinners
602 of 856 individual event points scored at the 2011 Patriot League Championship
394 of 605.5 individual event points scored at the 2011 ECAC Championship

Newcomers
Navy welcomes 15 newcomers to its program

Bill Roberts on the Overall Outlook
"We are certainly looking forward to the 2011-12 season. Despite the graduation of a very strong class in 2011, we are very optimistic about the potential for this year's team. A good number of midshipmen put together a productive spring and summer in the water. We expect these athletes to be our leaders as we press ahead into the new season."

Bill Roberts on the Backstroke
"We should only improve in this event in 2011-12. Conor Campbell and Gage Trotter will lead the way this season. Each had highlights from their plebe season that should give them the confidence and experience to achieve new things in 2011-12. Providing additional depth will be Mac Anthony, Andrew Golankiewicz, Zach Ingold, Drew Mays and Joe Stark. Newcomers who are expected to contribute more as the season builds include Dan Bowden and Ben Hagan."

Backstroke Notes
Gage Trotter holds the Navy record in the 100 backstroke ... Zach Ingold has posted the Nos. 9 and 10 times in school history in the event ... Conor Campbell's best time in the 200 back ranks fourth at Navy ... Mac Anthony has posted the No. 5 time at the school in the longer event ... Ingold won the 100 back at the 2011 Patriot League Championship, with Anthony winning the 200 back.

Bill Roberts on the Breaststroke
"This was an improved event for Navy in 2011. Two newcomers in Luke Hoffer and Sean Murphy moved right into leading roles by the end of their first season. We expect their development as student-athletes to continue as they both have worked hard since last season. Supporting Luke and Sean will be Andrew Feeney, Ben Grove and Andrew Gsell. New to the program who can make an impact throughout the season are Seth Connor and Alex Cook."

Breaststroke Notes
Luke Hoffer has posted four of the top-10 times in Navy history in both of the breaststroke events ... his top performances rank him second in the 100 breast and third in the 200 breast ... he won the 100 breast and placed second in the 200 breast at the 2011 Patriot League Championship ... Sean Murphy placed third in the 200 breast and fourth in the 100 breast at the league meet.

Bill Roberts on the Butterfly
"Most of the butterfly points return this season. As a result, expectations are present for a strong season within these events. Veteran athletes leading the way for Navy include Mark Meyer and team captain Steve Dukleth. These two have been at the center of our fly success since their first season. Both are tough trainers and competitors. Those providing additional support include Ben Bondurant, Charlie Hetzel, Robbie Parker, Geramiah Simoes and Gage Trotter. Each of these five has the potential to lead a fly set or win a fly event on any given day. Rounding out this event for Navy will be newcomer Billy Draves."

Butterfly Notes
Mark Meyer is the No. 2 swimmer in school history in the 200 fly and has already qualified for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in the event ... he also competed in the 2011 NCAA Championship in the 200 fly ... Steve Dukleth placed second in the 100 fly and third in the 200 fly at the 2011 Patriot League Championship ... Ben Bondurant was the runner-up to Meyer in the 200 fly at the league meet.

Bill Roberts on the Sprint Freestyle
"Despite graduating several sprint specialists including Aaron Aiken, we expect to remain at least as competitive in all sprints through 2011-12. Front-line returners include Robbie Parker and Zach Ingold, both of whom had strong seasons in 2011. Other sprinters expected to make their mark are Sean Bagent, Trey Gregory, Danny Quinn, K.C. Linn and Brian Sweeney. Newcomers with the potential to contribute include Dain Bomberger, Dan Bowden, McCrae Kempf and Michael Richline."

Sprint Freestyle Notes
Zach Ingold swept the two sprint freestyle races at the 2011 Patriot League Championship ... Robbie Parker also advanced to the championship final in both events at the meet (second in the 50 free; fifth in the 100 free) ... K.C. Linn finished in sixth place in the 100 free and won the consolation final in the 50 free at the meet.

Bill Roberts on the Middle/Long Distance Freestyle
Middle: "Mac Anthony has been and will continue to be the lead man in these events. He is already the top 200 freestyler in school history based on top-ten performances. He has the potential to further his mark in this event while doing the same in the 500 freestyle as well. Keeping pace with Mac will be Hugh Davison, Will Norton, John Ojard and Justin Vagts. All are experienced and possess the characteristics necessary to compete for the top spot in both practice and meets. Newcomers include Kevin Stoddard and Riley Mita."

Distance: "Graduation was not kind to our distance program with the loss of multiple front-line specialists. Despite the losses, we hope and expect to be at the same form by the end of the season due to a healthy blend of up and coming athletes. At the front of the pack will be Justin Vagts, who had a terrific season in 2011 in qualifying for his first trip to the NCAA meet. Pushing Justin for the lead at all times will be Will Norton, John Ojard along with newcomers Riley Mita, Chris Nyaradi and Kevin Stoddard."

Middle/Long Distance Freestyle Notes
Mac Anthony holds the Navy records in the 200 and 500 freestyle events ... he won both events at the 2011 Patriot League Championship ... Justin Vagts has recorded the No. 2 time in Navy history in the 1650 free and the third-best clocking in the 1000 free ... he competed in the 1650 free at the 2011 NCAA Championship ... Will Norton posted a trio of top-three placings in the 200 free (second), 500 free (third) and 1650 free (third) at the league championship.

Bill Roberts on the Individual Medley
"We have a lot of potential for growth in this event this season. Both of our top 200 (Ben Bondurant) & 400 IM'ers (Justin Vagts) from last season return. Several others who provided valuable championship points return, as well, making for a good nucleus of IM specialists. Included in this group are Ben Bondurant, Justin Vagts, Conor Campbell, Steve Dukleth, Mark Meyer and Joe Stark. Billy Draves and John Stuy should work their way into this group, as well, within their first season."

Individual Medley Notes
Ben Bondurant won the 200 IM at the 2011 Patriot League Championship and is the No. 2 swimmer in school history in the event ... Mark Meyer placed second to Bondurant in the 200 IM at the league meet ... Justin Vagts finished in second place in the 400 IM at the Patriot League Championship ... Steve Dukleth (sixth, 200 IM), Joe Stark (seventh, 400 IM) and Conor Campbell (ninth, 400 IM) also scored points for the Mids at the meet in the IM events.

Joe Suriano on the Divers
"Tanner has been improving throughout his career. He scored 8's and 8.5's on a back one-and-one-half with two-and-a-half twists at last year's Army meet. Will is our No. 1 returning diver. He gets into the water as clean as any diver in Navy history. He possesses a great rip entry. He is an excellent diver on all boards and will be in contention for a league title. Ben is a talented, strong, exciting diver who has the ability to perform the big list of dives from any level. He wants to be a Navy Seal and is in great physical shape after being injured with a broken foot last season. Ben will be competing with Will for first-place honors on our team. The 10-meter platform may be his best event. D.J. is a strong, big diver who likes to jump and spin. He needs a more consistent approach and take off. He likes to dive platform and will become a fine collegiate diver. Joe spins well and tucks very tightly. He is an excellent 10-meter platform diver who needs to get physically stronger for springboard diving."

Diving Notes
Ben Freedman placed sixth on the three meter and seventh on the one meter at the 2011 Patriot League Championship ... Wil Mayo won the three meter and placed sixth on the one meter at the 2011 ECAC Championship ... D.J. Principato (11th, one meter; 13th, three meter) also scored points for the Mids at the ECAC Meet.

Navy Women's Swimming & Diving Outlook
Overall Outlook
Returners
22 of 32 2011 letterwinners
493 of 612 individual event points scored at the 2011 Patriot League Meet
151 of 179.5 individual event points scored at the 2011 ECAC Meet

Newcomers
Navy welcomes 10 newcomers to its program

John Morrison on the Overall Outlook
"Every Olympic year provides excitement in our sport. This will definitely be an exciting year for our program. We have many swimmers who are very close to qualifying for the Olympic Trials, which is a real thrill and is a testament to our ever improving program. Even more exciting is the youth of our team. Our three seniors are proven leaders. They will feed off the youthful energy everyday and are up to the challenge of leading our team as it heads into the most demanding dual meet schedule in program history. I am optimistic about being very competitive in every meet, and we will continue to challenge for a conference championship. The long-term goal for our team is to be a Top 20 team at NCAA Championships. This season will mark our next big step toward reaching that goal. I am certain in this team's confidence and passion, as well as its training and racing abilities, to take this next step. It is sure to be an exciting year."

John Morrison on the Backstroke
"With the addition of Alex and Amanda, our deepest event in our program, backstroke, will remain strong for years to come. Kellie, Lauren, Olivia and Maddie will lead the way, just like they did last year. Overall, these six may become the top-six swimmers in the history of Navy backstrokers."

Backstroke Notes
Kellie Darmody placed second in the 100 back and third in the 200 back at the 2011 Patriot League Championship ... she holds the school record in the former event and has posted the No. 2 time in the latter ... Hollis Capuano has recorded the second-fastest time in school history in the 100 back, with Toni Paruso posting the No. 3 time ... Lauren Baguley, Olivia Kosaka and Maddie Macfarlane all scored points in both backstroke events for the Mids at the 2011 league meet.

John Morrison on the Breaststroke
"Laura is truly a great athlete and competitor. She will set the pace for Colleen, Jenn and Sasha. Even though our depth in this event is short, these four will make this one of the most competitive events in our program."

Breaststroke Notes
Laura Gorinksi has posted the top-10 times in Navy history in both breaststroke events ... she has won both breaststroke titles at each of the two Patriot League Championships she has competed in ... Jenn Abbott (seventh, 100 breast; 11th, 200 breast) also scored in both events at the 2011 league meet ... Colleen Randolph placed eighth in the 200 breast at the championship.

John Morrison on the Butterfly
"Toni and Rheanna will remain the signature to our success in this event. We expect both will be swimming toward Olympic Trial qualification and score big in dual and championship meets. Cat, Danielle, Gina and Katherine will be right on their heels. It should be another great season for our butterfliers."

Butterfly Notes
Toni Paruso holds the Navy record in the 100 fly ... she placed second in both butterfly events at the 2011 Patriot League Championship ... Rheanna Vaughn is the school record holder in the 200 fly ... she won the 200 fly at last year's league meet ... Cat Cortesio (eighth, 200 fly; ninth, 100 fly) also scored points for the Mids in both fly events at the championship.

John Morrison on the Sprint Freestyle
"Kellie, Hollis and Cat have proven they can move from other events and sprint. Alexandra and Briana Bilunas will add pure sprinting abilities that will definitely add to our sprint group. Toni will also help maintain a strong sprint presence in our league."

Sprint Freestyle Notes
Kellie Darmody is the second-fastest swimmer in school history in the 50 free and is the No. 7 swimmer in the 100 free ... she placed fourth in the 50 free at the 2011 Patriot League Championship ... Hollis Capuano (seventh, 100 free; 16th, 50 free) and Daphne Williams (11th, 50 free; 15th, 100 free) are the lone Mids to have scored points in both sprint free events at the 2011 meet.

John Morrison on the Middle/Long Distance Freestyle
"The bulk of our freshmen can swim these events, which will make us a better all-around team. Ange had a tremendous senior year in high school and will be an instant impact swimmer. Rheanna, Katie and Haley are coming off some solid summer training and will need to lead this group to successes this year. Bryn swam the mile at the league championship and will continue to see more time in the distance events. We look forward to having Nikki, Sam and Amanda race in Navy Blue and Gold."

Middle/Long Distance Freestyle Notes
Haley Nowak scored points for the Mids in each of the 200 (eighth), 500 (10th) and 1650 (eighth) freestyle events at the 2011 Patriot League Championship ... Rheanna Vaughn was Navy's top finisher at the meet in the 500 free (fourth) ... Lauren Baugley placed 10th in the 500 free at the championship, while Bryn Moriarty finished in 11th place in the 1650 freestyle.

John Morrison on the Individual Medley
"Laura has worked hard on developing her IM. We hope to see her make a run at both NCAA and Olympic Trial qualifying standards. Colleen and Jenn will also be pushed to the top of the league and have tremendous potential for making this event our strongest in the league. Gina, Maddie and Olivia will also see more time in this event."

Individual Medley Notes
Laura Gorinski holds the Navy records in both individual medley events ... she placed second in the 200 IM at the 2011 Patriot League Championship ... Colleen Randolph finished in second place in the 400 IM at the league meet ... Bryn Moriarty scored points for the Mids in both the 200 IM (ninth) and 400 IM (seventh) events at the meet.

Joe Suriano on the Divers
"Courtney has the potential to win a Patriot League title. She has pretty dives with great toe point, and has the ability to get into the water without a splash. Jordan is an improving diver who is gaining strength. She is a talented diver who also has the ability to contend for a Patriot League title. She has been a potent weapon on one meter, but she needs to improve on her three-meter list with added degrees of difficulty."

Diving Notes
Courtney Vandament placed second on the three meter and eighth on the one meter at the 2011 Patriot League Championship ... Jordyn Nicholl finished in third place on the three meter and seventh on the one meter at the meet.