February 28, 2002

Cornell Brings High Hopes to EISLs

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They know what they have to do. They have known all season. The men on the swimming and diving team set goals back in September, and today they have the chance to fulfill them. As the EISL Championship meet gets underway today at Harvard, the team is focusing what they set out to achieve over six months ago.

1. Have at least six finalists. (Placing in the top eight.)

2. Have every swimmer in the top 16 in at least one event.

3. Swim fast and get the best times possible.

4. To place in the top five in the meet overall.

The men know that these are big goals, especially coming off last year’s eighth-place finish. But they are possible.

“I feel real good about the team. It’ll be close. In the last 15 years three times we’ve been fifth, never higher,” head coach Joe Lucia remarked.

The Red is in prime position going into the meet, coming off an EISL-relative Cinderella season. Last year they were 2-7 in dual meets for eighth in the EISL. This season the team went 7-4 in duel meets and 5-4 in EISL competition. The team had big wins over Navy and rival Brown.

“We’re bringing 17 swimmers and looking to score every one of them,” Lucia forecasted.

The same core athletes that led the team in the dual meet season are headlining for the Red. Seniors John Kenny and Ryan Buckham usher the charge. Kenny looks to dominate the distance freestyle events, and Buckham will take on the backstroke events. Joining Buckham will be freshman-phenom Danny Diette.

Sophomore John Dyste carries the highest expectations for the Red. He is seeded in the top-five in the 100 and 200 breaststroke events.

A strong group of juniors looks to continue it success. Danny Royce, who swims in both IM events, Forrest Kennedy, and Bill Dillon all hope to score. Sophomore Rob Payne and freshman Paul Teta round out the Red in the fly and sprint events, respectively.

Freshman diver Tony Schultz is Cornell’s front-runner in the one and three meter events.

“We are at full strength. It is an interesting, long meet, and are ready to swim. We are excited,” Lucia concluded.

Archived article by Cammy Kandiko