Oct. 23, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - Just one year removed from the school's best Big Ten and NCAA finishes in more than 50 years, it would be easy for the Northwestern men's swimming and diving team to sit back and wax poetic. Instead, with a pair of All-Americans returning, including the Big Ten Swimmer of the Championships-as well as a solid nucleus-the Wildcats are shooting for bigger and better things in 2002-03. Add in a recruiting class that can pay immediate dividends, and Northwestern has an opportunity to make an impact on both the conference and national scenes again this year.
"I think we'll have some good leadership in the junior and senior class from people that have been to the NCAA Championship. It will be the first time that we've really had that strong leadership in the upper classes that have that kind of experience," veteran Head Coach Bob Groseth said.
"We've had outstanding Big Ten meets the past two years. We've continually gotten better and we're setting our goals to continue on that track. How long we can keep catching lightning in a bottle, I don't know, but we certainly are a stronger team this year, overall."
Leading the way for Northwestern are senior Kellan O'Connor and junior Tony Swanson, each of whom earned All-America recognition in 2002. O'Connor earned a first-team honor with an eighth place finish in the 200 fly and a second-team accolade by finishing ninth in the 100 fly. He has also earned international rankings in the events. Swanson was second-team twice at nationals with a 10th place in the 200 IM and a 12th place in the 200 back. His two first- and one second-place finishes at the Big Ten Championships earned him Swimmer of the Meet distinctions.
One of the strengths of the squad will be in the fly events. With O'Connor and junior Mark Hamming back, NU has one of the top duos in the conference. O'Connor was first and Hamming was fourth in the 200 at the Big Ten meet in 2002. Senior Mike Shue and sophomores Phil Mercier and Matt Wever add veteran experience to the events for the Wildcats.
Swanson returns as the leader in the backstroke. He will get plenty of help as sophomores Nick Eggen, who placed in both the 100 and 200 at the Big Ten Championships, and Peir Johnson are both back to solidify the discipline. Junior transfer Chris Biedrzycki will add to one of the top squads in the Big Ten.
One area of concern will be the breaststroke. However, sophomores Mike Gustafson and Louis Torres can be expected to step forward, along with Biedrzycki. O'Connor, Swanson and Hamming will fill in at the events during the dual meets.
The sprint free has been hurt by graduation, so newcomer Ben Dexter will be looked at to be an instant impact. Junior Dan Williams, who worked on the sprints in the offseason will contribute as well.
In the middle free range, junior Shelby Clark returns. The arrival of talented freshman Brian Davis, a member of the 2002 Junior National squad, should strength the group's depth while providing immediate contributions. Williams and junior Steven Petric will also figure into the mix. Swanson will make in impact in the 200 during the dual season.
The distance freestyle is in good hands headed by Shue along with fellow senior Dave Hersh and juniors Tommy Lockman and Williams, who scored at the Big Ten meet in the 500 last season.
Along with the fly, Northwestern's other strength will be in the IM. Swanson is the Big Ten record-holder in the 200 and O'Connor and Hamming have the ability to be national talents. are give the 'Cats an opportunity for a national impact. Biedrzycki, Gustafson and Davis will give the 'Cats one of the nation's best IM groups.
In order for the Wildcats to take the next step in both the Big Ten and NCAA Championships they will need better performances in the relay events than they had in the past, according to Groseth.
"I can't see us improving in the conference without doing better in the relays," Groseth said. "We just gave away too much in the relays last year. When you're considered one of the top teams in the conference, you can't get fifth and sixth in the relays if you want to finish in the top three in the conference."
The diving events will rely on freshman Mike Oxman stepping in and contributing right away.
"We're extremely excited about him, but he is just a freshman and you don't know how he's going to do in competition," stated Groseth. "But certainly his credentials are very strong and we would expect him to be one of the better divers in the Big Ten. We expect him to be a factor as a freshman and from that position grow into being one of the better divers."