The Columbia Lions, determined to start the millenium with a big bang did just that. The 1999-2000 team completed what might have been the greatest season in Columbia Swimming history. Light Blue swimmers, divers and coaches walked away with all of the league honors for swimming, diving and coaching excellence. Lion athletes won five individual events and one relay title; Columbia's first ever. Three Lions made Olympic Trial standards, two qualified for NCAA's and thirteen varsity records were broken. "Last year was truly a spectacular and special season in every way, "comments Coach Bolster. "It will be difficult to achieve beyond or even match that level of success," says Bolster, who is beginning his seventeenth year at the helm of Columbia Swimming, "but we sure will have fun trying." Fun they will, as all but five members from last year's juggernaut return. Strong leadership is usually an essential ingredient to success and this year's team should have plenty of that. Seniors Mark Fichera and Matt Schultz both EISL Champions in their respective events a year ago will team with juniors Hamish Greenaway and Colin Shannahan to captain the 2000-2001 season. "I think this will be the first time we have had two junior captains to go along with two seniors," observes Bolster. "Too many captains could be a problem, but I envision this foursome working together quite well." The biggest concern in the new season will be replacing the likes of Gered Doherty and Russell Perkins the Lions top two sprinters from a year ago. Doherty a NCAA Honorable Mention All-America won two individual events the 50 fr. (19.95) and the 100 fr. (44.02), finished second in the 100 fly (48.01) and was part of four relays at last year's championships. Meanwhile Perkins scored in both the 50 FR (20.9) and the 100 FR (45.6) and anchored four of the Lions five relays. " It is not often that you lose your top two sprinters and scorers in the same year, but perhaps with our returning veterans and the contributions of some of our freshmen we can by committee equal or even exceed their totals," hopes Bolster. This task will fall primarily in the laps of the Lions sprinters. Schultz and Junior Jason Adelstein will be the central figures, but their efforts could be significantly enhanced with the arrival of five freshman sprinters. "Five is quite a few in one recruiting class," notes Bolster "but believe me we can use them all!" Both Schultz (21.0/46.0) and Adelstein (21.5/47.2) members of last year's record setting sprint relays have the experience and enthusiasm necessary to lead this group. Their work could be further buoyed by the return of senior Joe Zdrilic (20.98) one of the Lions top 50 freestylers during the 98-99 season. " With Joe we could have the league's best sprint corps", cites Bolster, "Either way our tradition of a strong sprint group should continue." In the middle and distance free events Shannahan and Greenaway will be the key performers. Both have EISL Championship experience and both have made significant progress while at Columbia. Shannahan, last year's most improved swimmer, is the Lions top returning 200 (1:40.50) freestyler. Greenaway, who made the big jump up from the sprints to the longer races, quickly established himself as one of Lions top distance men. His continued improvement will be counted on, as will the contributions of junior Jason Reichard and sophomore Daniel Kim both of whom scored at last year's championships in the 1000 and 1650 frees. The stroke and individual medley events will be handled by a host of talented Lions. Last Years' Most Outstanding Freshman Award winner, Arpad Sebe and junior Bud Kraft return to head up the breast and i.m. contingents. Sebe, a finalist in the 200 i.m. (1:50.43) and 200 breast (2:03.6) at last year's championships continued his fine swimming this summer at the Canadian Olympic Trails. According to Bolster Sebe is on the verge of greatness, "he has the talent to go far in this sport. If he continues to work hard I would not be surprised to see him represent Canada at the 2004 Olympics." Olympics or not Sebe can certainly focus on a league title or two and a NCAA qualifying standard. To this extent Sebe can count on junior Kraft for the right combination of competition and support. Kraft an EISL scorer in the 400 i.m. (4:11.44) and 200 breast (2:07.51) has made remarkable progress in his first two years and the Lions will count on that continuing. A pride of Lions can and will contribute to the scoring punch in the backstroke races, but the Lions maybe looking for some help in the butterfly events. Schultz (48.74) last year's league champion in the 100 yd. backstroke will cover the sprints while Shannahan (1:52.36), sophomore Julien Howe (1:56.32) and several freshmen will focus on the 200. Shannahan and Howe consolation finalists at last years EISL meet and will be looking to move up this year. Meanwhile Junior Adam Reynolds (1:52.9) and Daniel Kim (1:55.5) are the top returning flyers. Reynolds, a great shave swimmer and Kim will really have to step up at the dual meet level if the Lions are to be successful. The same can be said for junior Matt O'Donnell (52.2) who is the Lions top returning 100 flyer. Should the Lions struggle early Sebe may be called upon to help in the 200 while several of the freshmen may be given a shot at the 100. Captain Fichera; last year's EISL champion in both the one and three-meter dives bounces back for his senior year. While Fichera will focus on defending his titles and qualifying again at the NCAA level Coach Gordon Spencer will focus on replacing the likes of Daniel Brown. " Daniel developed into a top eight finalist on both boards," says Spencer. " Finding another Daniel Brown in a year is not an easy task but we do have several willing contenders which is good." In particular sophomore Josh Juffe will get the first crack, but there are several freshmen that could contribute as well. Regardless, with Fichera the Lions have one of the best talents in the east and the Light Blue will ride on his shoulders for as far as he can carry them. Meeting the standards set by the 1999-2000 team will be challenging, but Bolster is looking forward to the task. "I think it will be an exciting year. There is a good nucleus of returning talent and one of the best recruiting classes ever. The ingredients are there for another fine year. Let's hope we get the right mix of hard work and fun!"