"The similarities are certainly evident, and I would be lying if I told you the thought of another league title has not crossed my mind," says head coach Jim Bolster. "It is hard not to think about this class and make comparisons with our championship teams, but the circumstances are different (most notably the change in scoring from three to five places) and it would be unfair to put that kind of pressure on the Class of '99."
Pressure or no pressure, the Class of '99 is significant in numbers and talent and should certainly help make the Lions a better team. One reason the Lions struggled in the dual meets in '94-'95 was the lack of breaststroke talent. With the addition of Chris Tennyson (MI) and Sharif Khalell (MN) the struggle should subside as both arrive with Junior National qualifications in the 100 yard breaststroke and Tennyson in the 200 yard event. In fact, Tennyson arrives as the fastest freshman in Lions' history. His 57.52/2:04.8 100 and 200 yard times give him an excellent shot at the current school records.
Not to be overlooked is the solid group of freestylers. Chris Ferris, an Illinois high school finalist in the 200 and 500 free events, will head up the distance races along with California product Fritz Schneider. Four sprinters - Khaleel, Russell Perkins (CA), Pat Woodside (OH), and Steve Gracey (KY), will help keep the Lions fast in the shorter events, while Jacob Dickman (OH), Za[chary Spreitzer (IL), Todd Berget (IN), and Stefan Weiss (NY) will handle the stroke and IM races.
Dickman and Spreitzer, backstrokers from Cleveland and Chicago, have state championship experience and will be called upon often to score key depth points for the Lions. Berget, an IM specialist, will add the 400 event to his portfolio, while Weiss, a local product, will assist Gracey in the 100 and 200 yard fly events.
"I am excited by the potential for this group," adds Bolster. "They remind me a lot of the Class of '92, but my expectations remain the same. I would like to see them continue to develop and to continue having fun with the sport. If that means an Ivy tit le or something else, so be it."