Oct. 11, 2007

Contact: Stefan Scheibelhoffer

SETTING THE SCENE: The men's and women's swimming and diving teams host Valparaiso in their season opener on Saturday (Oct. 13). Action at the Busbey Natatorium is slated to begin at 2:00 p.m.

PREVIEWING THE WOMENS TEAM: The CSU women have their sights set on improving on a sixth place finish after scoring 218.5 points at the Horizon League Championships last year. The squad is loaded with experience and features 10 returnees from a year ago as seniors Lesley Jones, Deanna Raedel, and Trisha Simon will anchor this year's squad. Jones is the top sprinter with the second top times in the 100 freestyle (54.71), and will help anchor the 200 and the 400 freestyle relay, as well as 200 and 400 medley relay. Raedel will be swimming in the freestyle and the breaststroke event and Simon will anchor the diving portion of the Vikings meets.

Returning twin sisters, juniors Sandra and Kristine Bunker are two of the long distance swimmers. The two competed for top times in the 500 freestyle and the 1000 freestyle. Sandra Bunker also had the top time in the 200 freestyle (5:19.75), and 1000 freestyle (11:06.53). Junior Jen MacLauchlan will attempt to set school records in the 100 and 200 backstroke. The versatile swimmer is expected to help anchor the 200 and 400 freestyle relay. The senior had top times in the 100 butterfly (1:00.51), 100 backstroke (59.76), 200 backstroke (2:12.40), and 200 IM (2:15.16). Junior Katie Bellew won the 100 butterfly two years a go.

Freshmen Francis Carrion and Erin Green will lead the Vikings in long distance events. The two will compete in the freestyle and long distance breaststroke events. The other notable freshman is Diana Mruk who will be competing in the freestyle event.

MORTON ON THE CSU WOMEN: "I want the women to practice hard on a daily basis. They need to remember that they are students first and athletes second. I also want them to be unselfish and help their teammates when needed. If you work hard and develop a pattern of daily activities, winning will take care of itself."

PEVIEWING THE MENS TEAM: The CSU men's squad will try to follow-up last year's second place finish at the Horizon League Championship with a league championship after winning the championship two years ago. The 2007-08 squad features 14 returnees including David Duecker, who is the top distance swimmer and one of the best endurance athletes in the history of the program. Last year Duecker had top times in the 400 individual medley (3:59.71) and helped the 800 freestyle relay team gain a top time (6:46.15). Senior Dan Baiko is one of the highest ranked divers in the conference and had the second best score on the one-meter (301.40) and the three-meter (312.30) boards. Senior Johan Norling is the top returner in the 100 freestyle as he posted the second best time in that evet last season.

Sophomore Jakub Dobies, the Horizon League Newcomer of the Year last year, set league records in the 100 (53.77) and 200 breaststroke (2:00.92). Dobies also had top times in the 200 individual medley (1:50.85), and helped the 200 medley relay (1:30.91), 400 medley relay (3:22.57), 400 freestyle relay (3:03.99), and 800 freestyle relay (6:46.15) gain top times.

Top newcomer Zvomoir Androc is expected to be a top competitor in the 100 and 200 backstroke. He is expecting to compete for a conference title in those events. Other newcomers to watch for are diver Brody Fiesler, and freestylists Robert Hundt and Michael Marsico.

MORTON ON THE MEN: "Our number one goal is to win the league championship. I want them to show up to practices wanting to work. They also must remember that they are students first, athletes second. I want them to be a productive part of society when their time here in athletics is over."

BEST IN THE LEAGUE: CSU swimmers assaulted the Horizon League in the top times list last year, with five Viking men holding the top time in seven events. Here is a look at CSU swimmers holding the league's top times in 2006-07.

Swimmer/Diver - Event - Time/Score
Nedim Nisc- 100 Butterfly- 49.65
Jakub Dobies - 100 Breaststroke - 53.77
Jakub Dobies - 200 Breaststroke -200.92
Dave Duecker - 400 IM - 3:59.71
400 Medley Relay team- 3:22.57
Chris Dalman - 1 Meter Drive - 370.65
Chris Dalman - 3 Meter Dive - 365.95

FROM AROUND THE WORLD: Once again, the CSU swim team will be represented with student athletes from around the world as seven members of the men's team and three members of the women's team hail from outside the United States. Of the 10 different swimmers, seven are from different countries. Newcomer of the Year, Jakub Dobies, hails from Poland., while freshman Zvonimir Androic is from Crotia. Other countries represented are Germany, Serbia, Bosnia, Sweeden, South Africa, Greece, and Canada.

VETERAN CLUB: After being a relatively young club last year, the CSU women's squad is laiden with veterans with four seniors and six juniors who combined for 10 of the team's top times. Jen MacLauchlan tops the list with five, followed by Sandra Bunker and Katie Bellew with two each. Senior Deanna Raedel had a top time in the 200 breaststroke.

MEN AND THE TOP 10 OF ALL TIME: Several men's swimmers either hold or are near the top of holding all-time records at CSU. Senior Johan Norling is ranked fifth in the 50 freestyle (20.84), seventh in the 100 freestyle (45.91), and fifth in the 100 butterfly. Jacob Dobies has CSU's top time in the 100 breaststroke (53.77), 200 breaststroke (2:00.92), and is third in the 200 individual medley (1:50.85).

HEAD COACH: Wally Morton (Miami '70) Entering his 27th season at the helm and 35th year in collegiate coaching, Morton has led the Vikings to 12 conference championships and 22 winning seasons durring his tenure of the mens program. Morton, who also serves as CSU's Director of Aquatics, has led the Vikings to five straight seasons of 11 or more dual meet victories. This year, Morton has accepted a new challenge as he will lead the women's team as well.