ANNAPOLIS, Md. –– The Navy swimming and diving teams will open their 2019-20 home season Friday when the Mids play host to a multi-team meet at 4 p.m. in Lejeune Hall.  The men's and women's teams from George Washington, Johns Hopkins and Towson and the women's team from Miami (Fla.) will comprise the field.

Navy Men (2-1)
Navy started the 2019-20 season with a loss to Michigan (225-75) and a win over Miami (Ohio) (250-48) on Sept. 20, then recorded a 158-128 victory over UMBC last week.  Four Mids won a pair of individual events against the Retrievers.  This includes Luke Johnson (Jr., Charlotte, N.C.), who was named this week's Patriot League Swimmer of the Week for his wins in the two freestyle distance events contested during the meet.

"This will be an important meet for our program for several reasons," said Navy men's swimming head coach Bill Roberts.  "We are hoping to improve upon our previous performances.  After Friday, we do not compete again until early November.  And this will be our first home competition of the 2019-20 season.  We are excited to perform and compete Friday at home."

Navy Women (2-1)
The Mids enter Friday after they posted a 171-115 win at UMBC one week ago.  Navy won all 16 events against the Retrievers, with Erin Scudder (Sr., Western Springs, Ill.) and Stephanie Downing (Sr., Pasadena, Calif.) each winning two individual events.  Scudder won the 100 and 1000 freestyle races and Downing claimed wins in the 200 free and 200 IM events.

Last week's victory came two weeks after Navy lost to Michigan (202.5-97.5) and defeated Miami (Ohio) (190-110).  

"Following two successful road meets," said Navy women's swimming head coach John Morrison, "we are looking forward to competing in Lejeune Hall.  This is a big opportunity for our team to be challenged by really strong teams.  Towson and George Washington are veteran teams that are regularly toward the top in their respective conferences.  Miami competes in the ACC, which is one of the top swim conferences in the country, and Johns Hopkins is expected to jump up to the top of the Division III National Championship this season.  All of the teams are well coached and their early season results show it.  Our team will have to bring a big effort to a Friday afternoon meet to stay competitive.  We look forward to racing and learning from the other teams."

George Washington Men (0-0)
George Washington's lone competition to date was at the FIU Fall Classic two weeks ago in Miami.  The Colonials finished in third place in the eight-team field at the event.  George Washington won its third-straight Atlantic 10 Conference title last spring.  Friday's meet will mark the first time the Mids and the Colonials will compete against each other since the 2007-08 season.  Navy leads the all-time series by the count of 12-1.

George Washington Women (0-0)
George Washington began its season by placing fifth out of seven teams at the FIU Fall Classic.  The Colonials matched their best finish in school history at the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship last season when they placed second.  Navy and George Washington last met during the 2007-08 season.  The Mids hold a 13-4-1 advantage in the series.

Johns Hopkins Men (0-1)
Johns Hopkins lost to William & Mary, 152-110, two weeks ago in their season opening dual.  The Blue Jays finished in fourth place at the 2019 NCAA (DIII) Championship.  Navy defeated Johns Hopkins, 253-43, last season to improve its advantage in the series to 45-1.

Johns Hopkins Women (1-0)
The Blue Jays recorded a 135-127 victory over William & Mary in their only dual meet of the season.  Johns Hopkins placed 13th at last year's NCAA (DIII) Championship.  The Mids defeated the Blue Jays, 239-53, in last year's contest.  That win gave Navy a 26-1 record in the series.

Towson Men (0-1)
Towson began the year with a 155-145 loss to Georgetown.  The program finished in fourth place at last year's CAA Championship.  Navy won last year's dual between the teams, 197.5-102.5.  That gave the Mids four wins in as many meets against the Tigers.

Towson Women (0-1)
Towson's lone dual meet of the fall saw it drop a 155-145 decision to Georgetown.  The Tigers placed third at the 2019 CAA Championship.  Navy defeated Towson, 192.5-107.5, last year to improve its record to 16-0 in the series.

Miami (Fla.) Women (0-2)
The Hurricanes have lost meets to Florida (203-90) and Florida Atlantic (169-131) this season.  Miami placed 11th at the 2019 ACC Championship.  Friday will mark the first time the Mids and the Hurricanes will compete against one anther.