This Is Mizzou Men's Swimming and Diving 2007-08
10/5/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Swimming & Diving
Oct. 5, 2007
One may not think the adage "dig deep" applies to the Missouri men's swimming and diving team this season; and they may well have a case. The team only lost one senior in Nate Zabel this past year and returns 23 athletes. This has afforded Head Coach Brian Hoffer an unprecedented level of depth and flexibility to work with this season.
"We are a very deep team in most every event this year," Hoffer said. "We can put up a range of athletes in any given race, which will undoubtedly help us be more competitive across the board. The depth we have right now is as good as the program has ever had."
Given that Hoffer is entering his 16th year as the program's head coach, this is quite a statement. It makes a lot of sense, however, when considering the talented and experienced crop of athletes on his team's roster.
There are six seniors returning to the team this year, including top-10 all-time backers Travis Floyd and Joe Wilson, and all have a great deal of experience to help lead the Tiger charge. Their efforts will be bolstered by several standout members of the sophomore and junior classes, including top-five all-time juniors Gilad Kaufman (200 fly) and Matt Dahlke (200 free) and sophomore school record holders Dylan Lynn (500, 1000, 1650 free) and Martin Cernansky (200 breast).
Despite his team's depth, Hoffer recognizes his athletes' need to dig deep throughout the season.
"We may have as deep a team as we have ever had, but it will still be tough to win the events that we have to," he said. "Winning those races will be the challenge and will determine where we stand come season's end."
Sprint Free Kaufman and Bryan Difford posted the second fastest times on the team this past season in the 50 and 100 free, respectively, and should continue to produce again in 2007-08. Look for sophomore Joe Wiedemeier to help balance the Tiger attack in the sprints in addition to redshirt freshman Cameron Sellers, who had a solid long course season during the summer, in the 100 free. Senior Lex Howard and sophomore Matt Burns should add some production in the sprints, as should freshman Jordan Hawley, who boasts competitive times coming out of Plano West High School.
Mid-Free The clear leader in what are likely the Tigers' deepest events this season is Dylan Lynn, who owns the school mark in the 500 free and is top-10 all-time in the 200 portion of the race. Lynn will be joined in the mid-free mix by juniors Dahlke and Brad Hubbard. Hoffer has tapped Sellers and Bobby Sundvold, who also redshirted this past season, as favorable options as well. Other swimmers likely to complement the mix include Kaufman, junior Ted Harris and senior Brandon Lee, who is top-five all-time in the 500 free and can leverage his experience to produce some solid results this year. Also look for freshman Spenser Lauver and senior Thomas Baumann to step in if necessary.
Distance Lynn will also be the go-to-guy for the Tigers in their distance events. In addition to his 500 free record, Lynn captured the program's 1000 and 1650 free records this past season and looks poised to continue his success this season. In his first year as a Tiger, Sellers will look to make waves in the longer races as well. Distance is also a strength of newcomer Lauver, who is expected to be a major factor in his freshman campaign. Baumann and Lee are two others Hoffer will rely on for their experience in the distance races.
Back The three-man front of Floyd, Wilson and junior Jake Hoffman will represent the Tigers' weaponry in the 100 and 200 back. All three carry a great deal of talent and experience, especially 2006-07 Most Improved Swimmer Joe Wilson, who will hope to carry the momentum of his breakout junior campaign into this season. Also adding his experience to the team's strong lineup in the back is senior Byron Carlisle. Sundvold and freshman Kevin Bingham can both jump in as difference makers as well.
Breast There is no question that Martin Cernansky is one of the best breaststrokers this program has ever seen. Cernansky completed a stellar freshman campaign this past season with an MU record in the 200 breast and a top-three all-time finish in the 100 portion of the event. Ted Harris, who raced his way into the all-time top-10 in the 200 breast last year, has also markedly improved over the course of his two seasons at Mizzou. Other weapons in Hoffer's arsenal include Difford, Lee and sophomore Brice Grunert.
Fly The Tigers have a formidable fly duo to throw against the competition in Kaufman and Grunert. Kaufman ranks in the top-five all-time in the 200 fly with Grunert just behind in the seventh spot. Junior Eric Smith, who returns to Mizzou after a solid summer in the pool, and Howard give Mizzou an even deeper and more balanced attack. Newcomers Lauver and David Dorak have proven marks in the fly and will be able to fill in where necessary this season as well.
IM Another strong event for the Tigers this season will undoubtedly be the 200 and 400 IM. Difford, who stands second all-time in the 200 IM, will lead the charge in the event. Cernansky and Harris, who improved dramatically last season, will join Difford as heavy contenders. Grunert will also be a force in the 200 IM this year, but will lend his talents to the 400 IM roster as well. Joining Grunert in the 400 IM will be Lee and Lynn. All three rank in the top-10 all-time at Mizzou in the event. Hoffman and Sundvold afford Hoffer two additional options in the IM.
Diving The Tiger men return all three divers to the roster this season. Two divers, David Boyko and Greg DeStephen, are returning with NCAA Championship experience. Although freshman standout DeStephen suffered a back injury over the summer, diving coach Jamie Sweeney remains optimistic that he will come back strong for a successful sophomore season in the well. Classmate Ryan Meeker is coming off an intense summer training regimen and looks better than ever. Sweeney believes the young diver could produce some big results this season. New to the team this year is local diving sensation Dante Jones, who is all too familiar with Sweeney's style after his stint on the Mizzou Diving Club team. Jones, a true all-around athlete, has all the potential in the world and will help fill in on the platform
Players Mentioned
