Ohio Wesleyan University | Battling Bishop Athletics

2008-09 Season Preview

[ David Gatz ] With a solid junior class and another outstanding group of newcomers, Ohio Wesleyan University head coach Dick Hawes and his men’s swimming team will look to quantify their improvement with a step upward in the North Coast Athletic Conference standings. Ohio Wesleyan placed eighth at the NCAC — perhaps the toughest swimming conference in NCAA Division III — championship meet last February.

The freshman class which not only propelled the Bishops upward in the 2007 conference standings provided leadership as well, and this season should see another continuation of those efforts.

"This is a strong group," Hawes said of his junior class. "It's our biggest scoring group."

Junior David Gatz (Delaware/Hayes) won conference championships in the 100 and 200 breaststokes, becoming Ohio Wesleyan's first NCAC titlist since 1994 and only the second Battling Bishop men's swimmer to win multiple events at the NCAC meet. He went on to win honorable mention All-America laurels in both events, the first Battling Bishop swimmer since 1995 to do so.

[ Kevin Fahey ] Junior Kevin Fahey (Delaware/Hayes) recorded 3 top-20 finishes at last year's conference championship meet, placing 15th in the 400 IM and 20th in the 200 backstroke and the 500 freestyle.

Junior Brad Russell (Delaware/Hayes) placed 10th in the 1-meter diving and 11th in the 3-meter diving last year, junior Nathaniel Cook (Delaware/Hayes) was 19th in the 200 breaststroke and 23rd in the 100 breaststroke, junior Chris Potterton (Needham, Mass.) finished 21st in the 1650 freestyle, and junior Usman Javaid (Lahore, Pakistan/Aitchison) placed 23rd in the 200 butterfly.

Junior Andrew Sisson (Greensburg, Pa./Greater Latrobe) contributed on Bishop relay teams last year, and juniors Tony Wong (Cleveland/Cleveland Heights) and Tyler Laws (Lewis Center/Olentangy) also return.

[ Brian Fahey ] Senior Brian Fahey (Delaware/Hayes) missed the first half of last season while studying abroad, but came back to record a top-25 finish at last year's NCAC meet, finishing 24th in the 100 breaststroke. "He wasn't at full strength (last year)," Hawes said. "It will be nice to have him back."

Senior Todd Ufferman (Delaware/Hayes), who contributed to the Bishop relay teams last year, also returns. Ufferman had a top-25 finish in the 100 backstroke at the 2006 NCAC championship meet.

Newcomers to the team include junior Eric Francis (Alliance/Marlington), who will provide depth in the diving events; and sophomore Dominic Schlabach (Delaware/Hayes), who is out for his first season of collegiate swimming.

Incoming swimmers who could contribute include freshman Anthony Harper (Westerville/Central) in the sprint freestyle events, freshman Nathan Eckersley (Cleveland/Mayfield) in the freestyle and individual medley, freshman Evan Huddleson (Westerville/Central) in the freestyle and butterfly, freshman Reed Fogle (Delaware/Hayes) in the breaststroke and butterfly, freshman Michael Gatz (Delaware/Hayes) in the butterfly and backstroke, and freshman Jesse Sheldon (Mansfield/Ontario) in the backstroke and freestyle.

"We have a big freshman group, which is exciting," Hawes said. "What's nice is that there is some great potential there."

Ohio Wesleyan opens its season on Oct. 25 at the NCAC Relays meet. The Bishops kick off the dual meet season on Oct. 30 by visiting NCAC rival Wittenberg.

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