POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 20, 2017) – The 2017-18 Vassar College men's swimming and diving team starts its season Saturday afternoon at home against Brandeis University in Kresge Pool. Along with that comes a renewed excitement for the program, of course with the onset of a new season, but also with the possibilities that come with having so many new faces.

Vassar will enter the season with seven returners from last year's team, but also with a new cast of seven incoming swimmers, each of whom will look to leave a lasting mark on this year's squad. With a new group that outnumbers the cast of returners, it can sometimes be overwhelming at first but the first-years have fit right in.
 
"In swimming, there's a constant competition and we've brought in swimmers that consistently are doing a good job with that," said Vassar senior and top returner Jonah Strand. That competition will help push a group, that while undersized in numbers, could surprise people with their talent.
 
"I think we have a group that's going to work hard and that attitude has been accepted so far," said head coach Lisl Prater-Lee. "We've done some team-bonding things, and that has helped this group come together quickly."
 
The Brewers have the luxury of having a gaggle of home meets this season, as the six home meets is the most in many years. Vassar will start its season with back-to-back home outings against Brandeis and Bard College Wednesday, October 25, which will give swim fans an early look at what's to come for the Brewers.
 
"We have some short term goals, staying positive and working towards the end of the year, but just improving every day and working hard each day," said sophomore captain Harrison Taylor, who will be someone to look out for in the free and butterfly events this year.
 
FREE
The Brewers will have a fairly inexperienced freestyle group this year, but they do return a very strong distance free option in Jordan Kalina. The sophomore had a strong opening campaign last year, finishing the 2016-17 season with a personal-best time of 10:10.11 in the 1000 free at the UNYSCSA Championships last year. With the 1000 yard school record in sight, look for the sophomore to be a leader for VC in 2016-17.
 
Captain Harrison Taylor will be another freestyle option for the Brewers in short to intermediate races, while a freshman duo of Parker Bartz, Davon Dowie will help Vassar as well in the event. Due to the nature of the freestyle swim, look for others listed mainly in other strokes to also compete in the freestyle events as VC diversifies its lineup. Also look for sophomore Matthew Imiolek to get a lot of events in the freestyle swims for VC.
 
BACK
The backstroke events will have some new competitors this season, as last year's standout senior Chris Cerutti has since graduated. Freshman Finn Belanger helped his swim club in Montana earn state titles in the backstroke, while Green Bay, WI native Max White has impressed early in the preseason and will be a big contributor for Vassar in the backstroke. White set four school records in high school, and along with the backstroke will most likely be an IM competitor for Vassar as well.
 
BREAST
In the breaststroke record books, senior Jonah Strand stands at the top of the list in each measure, holding the school record in the 50, 100 and 200 breaststroke events. Strand is also the 200 IM record holder at Vassar, and he will be looking to finish his career with a bang in 2017-18. Strand will have some company in breaststroke events, as Matthew Imiolek will swim the event, along with freshmen Rowan McDowell and Danny Dunn.
 
BUTTERFLY
The butterfly event saw the graduation of one of its best in program history in Anthony Walker. Though Walker has moved on, the staff thinks that sophomore Jordan Kalina and freshman Max White will be able to earn points for the Brewers. If the pairing can finish together in the top three, while others can chalk up points as well for VC, the butterfly will continue to be a strength for Vassar.
 
DIVES
Senior Connor Martin is back to captain a diving duo of himself and Marvin Corleto, who returns to the squad after a year hiatus. Martin and Corleto each having diving experience now, having joined the team as beginners, so look for the pairing to possess a strong 6-dive list as the season progresses for VC.