Swimming Preview: 2017-18

Saturday, October 28

WSU Natatorium

12:00 PM

Wright State University

Milwaukee

10/26/2017 7:54:00 AM | Swimming & Diving

By: Communications

by Alan Hieber

The Wright State swimmers are slated to start the 2017-18 season Saturday at Noon against Marshall and Milwaukee at the WSU Natatorium.

After being an assistant for WSU since the 2013-14 season, Sean Dwyer has taken the helm as head coach. Former Raider swimmer Emily Hayhow will be an assistant on the staff.

Dwyer says his swimmers have welcomed him with open arms.

"It's been a very smooth transition. They've been very respectful taking what I have to say and applied it well," Dwyer said. "They've been excellent with their attendance in training and doing a good job in the water. At the very least, we're going to see some strong swims from each as an individual."

Though the Raiders' roster is smaller in numbers this season, their bond as a team has not wavered.

"Because the numbers are so small, the men and women train together most of the time. They have good clarity of what they want to accomplish," Dwyer said. "They're working together as a team, and very accepting and supportive of each other."

Seniors Mitch Stover and Jack Fergus are returning from injuries last year, which should give the men a strong foundation.

There is further depth in the senior class with Trevor Keriazes and Ryan Schultz. They had the leading 100 and 200 breaststroke times respectively for the Raiders. Junior Thomas Downey led WSU with his 400 IM and 1000 and 1650 freestyle times.

A trio of sophomores will be looking to impress for WSU. As a freshman Dominic Poletta had the best team time in the 100 butterfly and 50 freestyle. Owen Measel recorded the second fastest team mark in the 400 IM and had the third best time in the 100 and 200 backstroke. Levante Sardi from Hungary should be productive in the breaststroke.

Senior and captain Abby Saner notched the best team time in the 400 IM and was second fastest in the 200 butterfly and breaststroke. Joining her in the senior class is Jamie Krupp, who was second in the 100 breaststroke for WSU. An additional upperclassman spark will be junior Sofia Aledo. She was the team leader in the 200 backstroke and IM.

Three sophomores will be going the distance for the Raiders. Maddie Eckley topped the 200, 500, 1000 and 1650 freestyle times. Amanda Scola and Shelby Miller were second in the 1000 and 1650 freestyle respectively.

Sophomore Shelby Tomasiak appears set to have a breakthrough year in the backstroke and butterfly after performing well during offseason training. Abby Saner's sister Kylie is poised to have a successful season in the backstroke.

This season has the potential to bring standout performances from several swimmers who have their sights set on league titles and making NCAA cuts. Dwyer says his mission as coach will be to help each member of his team reach their greatest heights possible with the year they have.

"All the kids are focused on finishing the season with lifetime bests. Their training has been very dedicated to that," Dwyer said. "The big goals are to do the work in training, stay positive, support each other, show up at conference and race above and beyond their own expectations."