While thousands of Ohio University students ready themselves to storm Court Street this weekend, the Ohio men and women's swimming and diving teams open their regular seasons against Mid-American Conference foes Eastern Michigan and Toledo.
Despite losing several senior swimmers to graduation, the women's team returns four stellar athletes, all of who earned All-MAC honors last season. The men return two-time MAC Diver of the Year Robert Krichbaum.
We have some very experienced student athletes on both sides
whether we're talking about seniors or sophomores said Greg Werner, Ohio swimming and diving coach. Either way you look at it we have some of the top performers in the conference.
With this kind of leadership, Werner hopes to exceed his teams' preseason rankings. The men were ranked fifth and the women second in the MAC.
The preseason polls are fairly indicative of where we stand right now
but that's not to say we cannot surpass them
Werner said. We think we should have been ranked a bit higher on the men's side; but on the women's side
we are right where we should be.
With this in mind, Werner will deliver what the Ohio teams are known for: enthusiasm, attention to detail, team unity and toughness. Werner also uncovered Ohio's tangible strengths. For the women, he is depending on strong finishes in backstroke and individual medley events. On the men's side, he expects strength in the diving events.
We don't really have any weaknesses...give us some time and we'll see what other strengths emerge
Werner said.
He said this weekend would act as a worthy measuring stick for his teams' improvement thus far, since all opposing teams are perennial contenders to the conference title.
The Ohio men know their competition: Eastern Michigan is the team to beat. The Eagles have won 23 of the last 25 conference championships.
They are the standard
Werner said. They field a strong team every year. This is a challenge that we must accept.
The women face a similar test with Eastern Michigan. Finishing just behind Ohio in the MAC championship last year, the Eagles are a team that always gives (Ohio) a hard time
Werner said.
In addition, the Ohio women take on the Toledo Rockets, a team Werner said should be much improved.
They both have their sights on getting past us
so it won't be an easy meet for anyone. I'm sure this weekend will be a great challenge for us
Werner said. We need to keep in mind that every point counts
