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2004-05 Men's Swimming Preview

Pride. Commitment. Collective Responsibility. Three simple themes that Bloomsburg University swimming coach R.J. Wojtylak hopes will pay big dividends for his Huskies in 2004.

“I've tried to stress to the guys that being on the swim team means something; its not something just anyone can do,” Wojtylak said. “As a swimmer, you want the guy swimming next to you to be swimming his hardest to push you as well.”

This year Wojtylak adds six newcomers to the group of 11 that swam for the Huskies last season. He feels that the team complements each other well and is ready to start the season. “It's like a new team,” the second year coach said. “Everything is going well and the team's attitude is very positive. This team is ready to become a contender.”

To shape this team into a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference contender, Wojtylak has named juniors Travis Wagner and Eric Weathers team captains. He believes that Wagner and Weathers, as well as a few underclassmen, have a shot to make some noise at the conference championships. But first, Wojtylak wants each swimmer to improve individually.

“Our goal is to first improve our individual times then send as many guys to the conference meet as we can. Once we are at the championships, I want more people to score points to help the team. We'd like to be competing with Kutztown, Indiana (PA) and Shippensburg by the end of the season. Then hopefully, we can send some guys to nationals.”

Wojtylak is convinced that a few of his swimmers have a strong shot to make it to nationals, namely three underclassmen.

“Travis Backenstoe is one of our most talented swimmers. He finished in the top six in two events at the conference championships last season.” Wojtylak believes that if Backenstoe, last season's most valuable swimmer, works hard, he can possibly win two events at the conference championships and qualify for nationals.

Wojtylak is also confident that Chris Rumfelt, a sophomore, has a shot to qualify in middle distance freestyle events and that Nicholas Prima, a transfer from Monroe Community College, could compete at the conference level and possibly qualify for nationals in the breaststroke.

Wojtylak is also pleased with the progress of Ken Smith, Bloomsburg's top distance swimmer. “Smith is our most improved swimmer coming into this season. He has worked out and lifted hard and I think he has a really good shot to make it to the conference championships in the 1650 freestyle.”

The trio of Backenstoe, Wagner, and Bret Palmer look to be the Huskies top sprint swimmers while Rumfelt, Weathers and Stephen Post look to be tops in middle distance events for Bloomsburg. Wojtylak feels that the above all have solid shot at making the conference meet as well as Mark Freeman, the Huskies top backstroke swimmer.

Although the Huskies return only two seniors, Wojtylak feels that those seniors can make a difference. Brandon Palmer, who joined the team after running three seasons of cross-country for the Huskies, looks to swim breast and fly events, while Lee Hardin looks to contribute in freestyle events for Bloomsburg.

Three freshmen also look to contribute for the Huskies in 2004. Wojtylak is especially impressed with Ryan Hanosek who he believes is one of the team's top butterfly swimmers. Jim Toolan and Mike Tardive were also a pleasant surprise and could help the Huskies in both freestyle and butterfly events.

As the season approaches, the Huskies' main goal is to continue making positive strides and to improve in the conference. Wojtylak then hopes the team can place well at the conference championships and hopefully sends a few guys to the national championships in Orlando, Fl. He believes that if his team can live by the three themes they have set forth for this season, that anything is possible.