Men’s Swim & Dive Readies for Home Opener

Friday, October 16

West Point, NY

5 PM

Army West Point

UMASS

Men’s Swim & Dive Readies for Home Opener

October 15, 2015 | Men's Swimming and Diving

WEST POINT, N.Y. – After defeating Binghamton and NJIT, the Army West Point men's swimming and diving team will host UMass for its home opener at Crandall Pool Friday, Oct. 16 at 5 p.m.

"I thought going up to Binghamton last week really set the tone for our competitive season," said head coach Mickey Wender. "The team was all business, they got right down to it and were tremendous. I was impressed with the attention to detail and the focus. Everyone took ownership of their races and they all seem to have a pretty good sense of what their roll is and what they need to do for us to be successful.

"I wasn't expecting that especially from all the plebes. They were tremendous. They got right to it and were really focused, it was great. I am really pleased with our team and I think we have great leadership. There is a real energy, enthusiasm and focus towards performance which is important. A lot of the peripheral stuff that we can't control are not nearly as important to this particular group, so I am excited."

Last weekend, Army handily defeated Binghamton, 170.50-117.50, and NJIT, 188-93. The Black Knights earned the top-two places in eight events and swept the top-four places in the 200 back and 500 free.

"We have an older team on the men's side," explained Wender. "Everyone has a roll, there are no superstars. We are a real blue collar team and I think everyone knows what they need to do to help us win."

Sam Mo and Colin Kanzari went one-two in the 100 and 200 breast, while Evin Rude won the 200 and 500 free. Chris Szekely recorded a pool record while swimming the last leg of the 200 medley relay, which Army placed first in.

In the diving events, Edward Emery represented Army on the 3-meter and earned 171.95 points. Off the 1-meter Joe Frullaney earned 240.60 points to place second, while Emery placed fourth with 205.45 points.

This past week the team has trained side by side with the best in the world. Olympians Ryan Lochte, Cullen Jones, Nathan Adrian, Missy Franklin and Natalie Coughlin utilized Crandall Pool in their preparation stages for the 2016 Summer Games in Rio.

"It has been great to have Ryan, Cullen, Nathan, Missy and Natalie, the whole group at Crandall Pool," explained Wender. "They have brought an air of excitement and fun this week. They have been nothing but gracious and supportive, they even got up and raced some of our athletes at practice the other day. It has been fun to have them around."

For up-to-date information about Army swimming and diving, please follow @ArmyWP_SwimDive on Twitter and Instagram.