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The class of 2002 represents another solid recruiting year for Columbia swimming and diving. Thirteen freshman will help replace the ten lost to graduation and or study abroad programs. In particular the freshman class brings much needed front-line strength in the distance and middle distance freestyle events while adding depth to the sprints, butterfly and breaststroke ranks.

Seven junior national qualifiers have the most potential including Peter Armstrong and Jason Reichard in the distance free races. Adam Reynolds and Colin Shannahan in the middle distances and Jason Adelstein in the sprint free events. Armstrong, the Lions first ever Canadian recruit has senior national experience in Canada and could be the most versatile of the group according to Coach Bolster. "He can swim any one of six or seven events but I think his greatest contributions will be in the fly and middle distance free events." Armstrong will get plenty of support from Reichard and Jonathan Fischer in the distance free events. Reichard's 16:07/16:50 free at last years' Junior National Championships makes him one of the fastest incoming freshman in Columbia history and Fischer, although not quite at the Junior National level has made a considerable improvement over last year. "If he keeps at his present level of development he could be a surprising addition to our freestyle ranks," Bolster noted.

Colin Shannahan a Junior National consolation finalist in the 200 free enters as the Lions top hopeful in the middle distance free events. Bolster believes that Shannahan has much talent still to be developed. "Colin, has the ability to develop into our top 200 freestyler and to establish a new varsity record in the event before he graduates." Another late bloomer, according to Coach Bolster, is Adam Reynolds. Reynolds dropped three and five seconds respectively in his 200 and 500 free this past season and will team up with Shannahan to give the Lions an impressive tandem of middle distance freestylers.

Junior National qualifier Jason Adelstein will lead the group of first year sprinters. Adelstein a Texas State finalist in the 50 free will join the Washington State Champion, David Pruitt (100 free) to provide the Lions sprint corps with plenty of firepower. Hamish Greenaway another 21+ 50 freestyler will be ready to step in as well. Greenaway and Adelstein are solid butterfliers and should get the opportunity to help the Light Blue in the sprint fly races.

Matt O'Donnell another Junior National qualifier arrives to shore up the I.M. and butterfly events. Although the 200 fly is his best race, O'Donnell should make an impact in the 200 I.M. along with fellow first years Jeff Klein and Bud Kraft. Klein will handle distance free and the 200 fly events while Kraft will swim the 100 breast and 200 I.M. A starting safety for his high school football team, Kraft has yet to focus on swimming. With an extra month or two of practice he could develop into a mainstay for the Lions in both the I.M. and breast events, something Coach Bolster is hoping for. "I'm excited to see what kind of potential Bud has," states Bolster. "He could really make a significant contribution in two areas that appear to lack front line strength and depth."

Not to be forgotten is Trevor Sagan a sprint freestyler and breaststroker who arrives from Minnesota. Sagan will have the opportunity to add valuable points in both events. Diver Stuart Machir who has Junior Olympic level experience on the boards will be a significant addition to the diving team. Diving coach Gordon Spencer feels that with continued work and development Machir could be one of the top divers in the league.

"Overall I am quite pleased with our incoming group of freshmen," Bolster said. "With this group we finally will have the kind of depth and versatility we will need to make our move to the next level." Just what the next level will be remains to be determined but the 1998-99 additions to Columbia swimming should be an exciting group to watch.