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LEADING LIONS
Gered Doherty Fly/Free Jr. Sterling Heights, MI
The Lions 1997-98 most improved and most valuable swimming award winner, returns for his third season as the Light Blue's top sprinter...A remarkable turnaround during Doherty's sophomore season has catapulted him into one of the league's top sprinters...As a junior he will have several more opportunities to take aim at school records in the 50 free and the 100 fly...He currently holds the school record for the 100 free...Good training and Sr. National level racing experience should serve Doherty well in his quest for league and NCAA qualifying titles and times...Loves the weight rom...A three sport athlete at Henry Ford High School...majoring in history
Chris Ferris Dist Free Sr. Oswego, IL
Senior co-captain, Ferris returns to lead the Lions in his final year of competition...An Eastern qualifier and scorer for the past three years...Chris should again be the Lions top distance man...At the 1997-98 championships Ferris scored in both the 1000 and the 1650 free for the second straight year...Looking to add the 50 free to his resume this year...A dedicated athlete who works hard and is committed to his teammates...If he can work on his mental approach, Ferris could final in all three races this year...An Illinois state finalist for powerful Naperville Central...plans on attending law school...history major
Daniel Brown Diver Jr. New York, NY
Home grown product, "Downtown" Danny Brown returns to the boards for his third year of varsity competition...Native of New York city who started diving with current Columbia coach Gordon Spencer when he was nine years old...Spectacular sophomore year after injury plagued freshman year...Scored top eight in one meter and top ten in three meter...Lead drummer for campus band, Phat Free Cookie...Could develop into top eight finalist on both boards this year...art history/visual arts major.
Mark Fichera Diver So. W. Hartford, CT
Exploded onto league diving season in his first year...Was the Lions leading scorer and first place finisher last season...Finished top three (less than three points out of first) in one meter and top ten in three meter...Could contend for championship titles on both boards this year...Will be counted on heavily along with Daniel Brown to give Lions a one-two scoring punch for dual meets...Connecticut state champion...Spent past summer designing kitchens in NYC...liberal arts major.
Sharif Khaleel Spr Free/Fly/Brst Jr. Edina, MN
Senior co-captain who returns as one of the Lions most versatile sprinters...Khaleel's been an Eastern qualifier and scorer all three years and this year should be no different...A terrific relay swimmer who has been a member of all three sprint relays at Easterns for the past three years...His contributions at the dual meet level have encompassed all strokes except the backstroke...For 1998-99 Khaleel looks to score at Easterns in two or maybe three individual events and should be a part of some record-setting sprint relays...Ex-Canadian junior hockey league sensations...Minnesota state finalist in the 50 free and 100 breast...electrical engineering major.
Peter Leong Free/Fly So. Singapore
Co-winner of the 1996-97 Most Outstanding Freshman swimmer, Leong did little to tarnish his status as a sophomore...He ws the Lions top 100 and 200 butterflyer, winning all but two races all year...Needs to work on his championship level performance for this year as he goes after a top eight finish...One of Singapore's top young swimmers...Peter seeks to qualify for the Southeast Asian Games...Aspires to be a child's toy manufacturer...engineering/applied physics major.
Matt Schultz Back So. Bedford, IN
The "Limestone Cowboy", Schultz retuns to improve upon his first season...Co-Winner of the Most Outstanding Freshman Award ofr 1997-98...Placed third in the 100 backstroke at last year's Eastern championships...Swam lead off leg on two record-setting relays for the Lions...First Lion freshman to earn All Ivy since 1985...High School All-America for Bedford North Lawrence High...Runner-up state champion...Maintains Columbia's swimming web page...computer science major.
Joe Zdrilic Spr. Fr./Brst So. Richmond Hts, OH
One of the Lions top sprinters last year, Zdrilic returns to battle for the role of top gun...Entered as a freshman with the fastest incoming time ever (20.75) for the 50 free...After a disappointing first year, Joe is looking towards finaling in three events at this year's championship...Was a member of three scoring relays at the 97-98 Championships but should be on four or five this year...1997 Jr. National runner-up in the 50 free...Ohio high school finalist in 50 free and 100 breast...engineering major.