POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 6, 2009) – Bolstered by a quality group of returners, the Vassar College men’s swim-dive team heads into the 2009-10 season full of optimism and excitement. The Brewers will dive into competition at Skidmore College this Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
Although the Brewers were hit hard by graduation, losing John Alaimo, who holds school records in four individual and two relay events, and Tom Liu, who holds records in two individual and two relay events, interim head coach Paul Kueterman is confident in the strength of his returning squad, as well as the potential of his freshmen.
“We have a really quality group of guys, led by upperclassmen who know what it takes to get to the next level,” said Kueterman. “We’ll be led by senior captains Lars LaPann-Johannesen and
Jeremy Shiman who bring great experience and leadership to the table.”
An exciting returner for the Brewers is sophomore diving captain
Greg Sullivan who broke onto the diving scene last season. Sullivan rewrote Vassar’s record books with new scores in all four of the diving events, was a six-time Liberty League Diver of the Week, and reached the final selection process for the NCAA Championships, narrowly missing an invitation to the national diving championships.
“Greg is obviously a huge returner for us,” said Kueterman. “We really believe he’ll continue to make an impact, not just at the league and state level, but at the national level as well.”
Another important returner is sophomore
Jack Smart. Swimming the breaststroke and IM events, Smart is coming off a tremendous freshman season in which he was the Liberty League Rookie of the Week on February 16, 2009. Smart, along with Shiman and sophomore
Dustin Molina, are key elements in the relays which will be a strength for the Brewers. Last season, relay teams set three records, with Shiman and Smart contributing in the 200 Medley (1:38.42), Shiman and Molina in the 400 Medley (3:38.02), and Smart, Shiman, and Molina in the 200 Free (1:29.05).
Another strength for Vassar will be the backstroke, where Shiman closed out the season by advancing to the finals of the 200 Yard Backstroke at the Upper New York State Collegiate Swimming Association Championships, finishing in 21st with a lifetime best time of 2:01.43.
“We have a solid core and increased depth this year, and we’ll be able to put together a really competitive lineup for every meet,” said Kueterman. “Everyone’s really motivated to go out and surprise some teams this season.”
The Brewers will compete in four dual meets this semester, opening up on the road against Skidmore this Saturday and travelling to Rensselaer the following Saturday. Vassar will host back-to-back home events, against Pace University on Friday, November 20 at 6:00 p.m., followed by a 1:00 meet with cross-town rival SUNY New Paltz on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
“Any time you can go back to back at home it’s really exciting,” said Kueterman. “We’re excited to get students out here to support us and we know there will be a lot of parents as well so it’s a weekend we’re really looking forward to.”
The Brewers will then close out the semester at the Liberty League Championships, hosted by the University of Rochester. Last year Vassar finished fifth of seven teams.
“We have a good core to make that run at moving up in the Liberty League this season,” said Kueterman.
In the second semester, the Brewers will look forward to a new addition to their schedule, the Kumpf Invitational hosted by Rensselaer on January 16.
“That will be great competition for our guys and will raise our level of racing heading into the final stretch of events before the New York State Championships in late February,” said Kueterman.