Men setting their sights high 

Susie Lee : Spectator Staff Editor 

It is all about quality, not quantity. This maxim sums up Columbia's men's swimming Class of 2001. It also characterizes a team which has displayed immense talent and stellar individual performances in the pool, but has often lacked the depth necessary to win as a team in one of the toughest leagues in the country. 

"One of the [long-term] goals of this program is to win another Ivy Title," said Columbia Head Coach Jim Bolster. But this year the team looks to achieve realistic goals, and build a solid foundation to begin the climb back to the top of the league. After a disappointing 4-7 finish last year and last place in the Eastern Championships, Bolster said, "We have no where to go but up." 

This year's team will not settle for mediocrity either. "The guys want to go 8-3 this year. It'll be a challenge, but we have a shot at it," Bolster said. 

"We must turn the bitterness that existed at the end of last year into determination. This will allow us to concentrate on pride, unity and ultimately winning," senior tri-Captain Louis De Leon said. "With a strong foundation in these areas, our team will be successful. The true character of our team will be revealed this year-the way we respond to a season such as last year's will show the composition of the team. In a sense, this year is a test for us." 

Last season was riddled with misfortune for men's swimming. Bolster reiterated, "We didn't swim one meet last year where we had a full team." Short-term disadvantages included injuries and sickness, but the Lions were also plagued by long-term problems such as swimmers quitting the team, and others leaving school. 

But this year is a clean slate, and the Lions set their sights on accomplishing the challenging goals they have set forth for themselves this winter. 

The Lions plunge into the season this weekend with a meet away against UMass on Friday, followed by a tri-meet against Harvard and Army on Saturday in Cambridge. The back-to-back meets were scheduled to give the swimmers a taste of Easterns (a three-day meet) early on. 

The '97-'98 roster is packed with talent, both from experienced veterans and fast first-years. The Lions are led by senior tri-Captains De Leon, Roy Griffith, and Matt Gilman. 

Griffith placed an impressive sixth at last year's Easterns in the 50-meter freestyle, and will lead the Lions' sprinting corps this season. Bolster believes that this year's strength lies, as it traditionally has, in the sprint freestyle events (both 50 and 100 meters). 

"We have six or seven guys that could win at any given meet. If a meet comes down to the last relay, we have the [talent and depth] to split up into two strong relays (instead of stacking one) and go one, two." Bolster said. 

De Leon will be one of Columbia's top butterflyers. Unfortunately, shoulder problems have kept Gilman out of the pool this semester. "[This injury] really sets us back. He gives us some depth as well as front-line strength," Bolster said. "He could do anything: 200 IM, 200 free, 200 breast." 

As for the first-years, Bolster said, "If they live up to their advanced billing we could see some really good performances." And a few of them come with credentials that lead Bolster, in his 14th season at Columbia, to say "Regarding pure talent, this could be the best class I've ever had." 

Columbia successfully recruited three high school All-Americans. Diver Mark Fichera is the Connecticut State Champion on springboard, and one of the top ranked age-group divers on the east coast. Matt Schultz placed second at state championships in Indiana in both the 100-meter backstroke (50.01) and 100-meter freestyle (47.06). His backstroke time is already faster than Columbia's varsity record, and with four years ahead of him he should make a lasting impact on Columbia swimming. Joe Zdrilic, from Richmond Hills, Ohio has posted a 20.7 in the 50-meter freestyle, and is touted as Columbia's "fastest freshman ever." 

The Lions also added the talents of three other first-years to the roster this season who have displayed lots of potential and a strong work ethic throughout the pre-season. Dane Wertz, Ian Fisher, and Clement Tong are "willing to work, and by they end they'll be able to contribute," Bolster said. 

More depth is the only thing Columbia needs to complete a roster full of talent, but what the Lions lack in numbers, they make up for in hard work and dedication. 

Bolster emphasized the team's hard work ethic and attitude towards the upcoming season. The Lions have been working themselves to the limit since October 1, the official NCAA-legal start date. Distance swimmers train 20 hours a week, middle distance swimmers 18-20 hours, and sprinters are in the water 14-18 hours a week and complement their work in the pool with dry-land workouts and weight training. 

"I think that our main goal, as a team, is to instill some pride. We have to do more than just get on the blocks," junior Chris Ferris said.