THE OUTLOOK



New York City has long been a symbol of power and industrial strength yet its foundation is built upon superstition. Many of the skyscapers and high-rise apartment buildings that make-up the city's famous skyline have elevator panels that do not acknowledge the 13th floor. Superstition or not, head coach Jim Bolster refuses to believe that last year's season was his unlucky 13th.

"At no time last year did we compete at full strength. Perhaps our goal this year should be just to make it through the season injury and sickness free," said Bolster. If the Lions do remain healthy they should have little trouble improving upon last year's 8th place finish in the Ivy League.

The losses from the 1996-97 campaign include standout Scott Sherman (1:50/200 I.M. and 44.92/100 free) and popular assistant coach Fletcher Callahan. Sherman graduated and Callahan, a former Lions distance ace (class of '95) has moved on to Ohio State to pursue a masters degree in sports management. Despite their departures Bolster believes the squad will be stronger. "With the freshman we have coming in and the talent of our returning letter winners I see no reason why we cannot jump right back into the picture. We will have the ability to challenge almost everybody in the league." Bolster said.

Leadership is always a key component to any successful campaign and this year the Lions will get plenty of it from the likes of senior tri-captains, Louis De Leon, Matt Gilman and Roy Griffith. All three have been major contributors at the dual meet and championship levels. Griffith, coming off his best year ever having placed sixth at the Eastern Championships in the 50 free (20.73), will lead the charge for a talented group of sprinters. Versatile Matt Gilman can and will swim just about everything although his greatest contribution will come in the 200 free and the 200 I.M. races, while Louis De Leon will be one of the Lions' top butterflyers.

As in years past the freestyle events will continue to be a strong point for the Lions. Joining Griffith in the sprints will be several Eastern qualifiers and scorers. Juniors Sharif Khaleel and Russell Perkins along with sophomore Gerard Doherty will get much of the work done. Perkins returns after a year's study in Arizona at Biosphere II and if he can reach his form from his freshman year, the Lions could have an awesome sprint foursome. Three seniors, Gilman, Mike McCosker and Jamie Setzler, will join forces with junior Todd Berget and sophomore Peter Leong to handle the middle distance races. All five have Eastern Championship experience and should provide the Lions a solid corps. McCosker will also double as a distance freestyler. He scored in all three distance races (500/1000/1650) at last year's championship. McCosker will not have to do all the work on his own, as junior Chris Ferris and sophomore Brian Mendell will help out. Ferris and Mendell have Eastern level experience and will provide McCosker with plenty of support.

The backstroke events could present a problem for the Light Blue. Should junior standout Zach Spreitzer, an Eastern finalist and scorer in both the 100 and 200 races, decide not to swim the Lions will have to scramble for replaements. P.J. Freuler, a fast developing sophomore who sat out last year's championship meet for health reasons, could solve many of the problems Spreitzer's absence may cause. Mike Kinnally, Freuler's sophomore teammate, could step in and make major contributions as could various members of the freshman class.

Co-Most Outstanding Freshman award winner, Joe Rudler returns to put his stamp on the breaststroke events. An Eastern scorer and finalist in both breaststroke races, Rudler will look to add a varsity record to his laurels. Tri-captain Gilman and sophomore Phil Daniels along with Omar El Dessouky will provide plenty of back up power especially in the 200 where both Daniels and Gilman were Eastern qualifiers last year.

In the butterfly and individual medley events the Light Blue has a host of talented veterans to call upon. Senior tri-captain Louis De Leon and the other Co-Most Outstanding Freshman award winner, Peter Leong, will give the Lions a strong tandem for the butterfly swims. Sophomores Kevin Schwartz and Gered Doherty will handle the shorter fly events while senior Kyle Laracy and junior Todd Berget will support the 200 fly. Laracy returns after a year in Scotland and could prove a valuable addition to the fly and I.M. ranks. He will team up with Berget, Gilman and Daniels to cover the 200 and 400 I.M. races. All four have been Eastern qualifiers and should provide the Lions a solid nucleus of points.

On the boards the Lions will look to hometown product, Daniel Brown, to be the lead man. Brown, who grew up in diving coach Gordon Spencer's club program, is aiming at improving upon his first year. A steady point producer during the first half of the year Brown experienced some injury problems that limited his ability to compete in the second half. A weight program, a stretching routine and yoga have put Daniel back together and that should help lead to a successful sophomore season.

Having taken a last place team and a program with only eleven swimmers to an Ivy title, 14th year head coach Jim Bolster knows the territory ahead. "I believe we can win another title and starting from the bottom does not faze us. We have done it before and I see no reason why we cannot begin another run now," Bolster said.

Where the Lions will finish this year is tough to predict but the leadership and enthusiasm is there for another fun and exciting campaign. This could definitely be the year the Lions start their climb back to the top.