2001-02 MSU Men's Swimming And Diving Season Prospectus
10/3/2001 12:00:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
The 2001-02 Michigan State men's swimming and diving squad is looking to improve its duel meet record this year while focusing on sending individuals to the NCAA Championships. Coach Jim Lutz believes this team, which includes 11 returning letterwinners, will be ready for the upcoming season. "I am real optimistic," said Lutz. "The focus and effort displayed in the fall has me feeling really good about our situation this season. I think we've been able to replace the seniors that we lost. Over time, the personnel we have in place now definitely has the ability to make things happen."
Returning Letterwinners
Coach Lutz is looking for several returnees to step up the level of performance in the pool this season.
"We have a few leaders on this year's team," said Lutz. "Joe Brennan is one of our frontrunners, and Joe Baicy is another guy I'm going to count on heavily."
Brennan, a junior, competes in the freestyle events and is looking to improve upon his 12th-place finish in both the 1,650 and 500 free in the 2001 Big Ten Championships. Baicy, also a junior, earned a season-best time of 2:04.16 in the 200 breaststroke at Big Ten's.
Other top returnees include seniors Aaron Mahaney and Mike Robbins.
"Aaron has been a real pleasant surprise," coach said. "He did well in nationals and trained hard all spring and summer. He is going to be huge factor for us. In the fall, the guy who's really stepped it up has been Mike Robbins."
Junior Nick DeFauw heads the sprint department. DeFauw competed in the 50 and 100 free and 100 fly at last year's Big Ten Championships.
"I think the middle distance freestyle stands out as one of our better events, " said Coach Lutz of his overall lineup. "I think we're going to be real good in the backstroke and and breaststroke as well. The individual medley's are going to have to step it up. And I think the guys in sprints have enough experience where they can do some positive things."
Divers
Junior Nick Visscher joins two newcomers to this year's diving squad. Patrick Sheahan-Stahl, a MSU gymnast last season, and freshman Justin Laskowski round out the diving corps. Lutz expects improvement in the diving area, thanks to newcomer Laskowski.
"The biggest boost on our men's side is the addition of Laskowski," Lutz said. "He was by far and away the best kid in the state last year, and he's going to help us a lot."
Newcomers
Lutz adds 11 freshmen to the team, including New York Swimmer of the Year Peter Politi, while gaining two transfers from Iowa State.
"Karl Sunyrd and Mike Rigali, two transfers from ISU, will be great assets for us in the backstroke and breaststroke," commented Lutz.
Some of the other standouts to look for this season include Luke Lehner, a backstroker, and Patrick Saucedo, who competes in the freestyle and fly events.
Overview
"Our main goal is getting a few individuals to the national championship and improving at the national level," Lutz said. "We are always focused on the Big Ten Championships. Last year, we had over 90 percent lifetime bests at Big Ten's. We swam great, but this year we want to do better."
Lutz believes that these goals are within reach for this year's Spartans.
"We have a good nucleus of returning guys and newcomers, " said Lutz. "I think we could easily be better than last year's team."