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Bloomsburg University 2002-2003 Men's Swimming Preview

BLOOMSBURG— The Bloomsburg University men's swimming team is looking to build upon the solid season they had last year. The Huskies have a positive outlook with new head coach Ned Hampford at the helm.

Last year's team finished fourth at the PSAC Championships, just 4.5 points behind third-place Shippensburg. With four All-PSAC performers from last year returning, the Huskies are positive about the upcoming season.

“With the blend of talented and experienced swimmers to go along with the large group of enthusiastic newcomers, the Huskies will be competitive again in the 2002-03 season. The team's focus will be on the multi-team competitions as opposed to the traditional dual meet schedule,” said coach Hampford.

The Huskies should be solid in the sprint freestyle events with Steve Fisher (Tunkhannock/Tunkhannock) and Brandon Hilt (Mount Joy/Hempfield) returning along with Brian Kamenetz (Lincoln Park, NJ/Boonton) and Matt Fender (Swarthmore/Cardinal O'Hara). Fisher placed fifth at the PSAC Championships in the 50-yard freestyle, while Hilt placed 11th. Freshmen Travis Backenstoe (Walnutport/North Hampton) and Travis Wagner (Mechanicsburg/Mechanicsburg) will contribute immediately in the sprints as Mike Fowler (Milford/Delaware Valley), Ryan Ahearn (Warwick, NY/Warwick), Ken Smith (Philadelphia/Archbishop Ryan), Jeff Fellman (Hatboro/Hatboro Horsham) and Eric Weathers (Eagleton/Methacton) give support and depth.

In the distance freestyle events, Andy Wise (Harrisburg/Central Dauphin), Ryan Farrell (Mountaintop/Bishop Hoban), and Rob Robitaille (Enola/East Pennsboro) will provide the Huskies with experience. Freshmen David Rude (Pottstown/Westmont Christian) and Steve Post (Scranton/Scranton) will make an immediate impact in the distance races as well.

Hilt is the Huskies' top returner in the backstroke events. He holds the school record in the 100-yard backstroke and finished fourth in that even at the PSAC Championships. He also finished seventh in the 200-yard backstroke at the PSAC meet. Rude, Robitaille and Scott Davis (Jefferson, NJ/Jefferson Township) will add depth in the backstroke events.

Tom DiSalvatore (Thornton/West Chester East) turned in team best times in the 100 and 200-yard butterfly last season. He placed 10th in the 100-yard butterfly at the PSAC Championships. Fisher and Jason Davis (Harrisburg/Central Dauphin) bring additional experience to the Husky butterfliers. Kamenetz, Wagner, Jay Graham (Walford, MD/Westlake), Tradd Cummings (Henryville/Pocono Mountain), and Phil Werley (Allentown/Parkland) will add depth to these events.

Jason Davis holds the school record in the 100 and 200-yard breaststroke. He placed third in both events at the PSAC Championships last year. Farrell and Tom Jungjohann (Wyomissing/Wyomissing) will also make an impact in the breaststroke events.

Jason Davis, DiSalvatore, Farrell, Kamenetz, and Rich Seier (Bethlehem/Northampton) will all swim the individual medley races for the Huskies. Davis leads the way after a seventh place finish in the 400-yard IM at the PSAC Championships last year.

Bloomsburg will be strong again in the relays. Hilt, Jason Davis, DiSalvatore, Fisher, and Backenstoe will swim the medleys. Fisher, Fender, Kamenetz, Hilt, DiSalvatore, Backenstoe, Wagner, and Wise will swim the short freestyle relays, while Wise, Jason Davis, DiSalvatore, Hilt, Rude, Robitaille, Farrell and Post will swim the long freestyle relays.