Ohio Wesleyan University | Battling Bishop Athletics

2009-10 Season Preview

[ David Gatz ] With the largest contingent he has had in his 19 years at the Ohio Wesleyan helm, Battling Bishop head coach Dick Hawes and his men’s swimming team will look to take 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.

"Depth-wise, this is amazing for us. We have one of the strongest senior groups we've ever had." Hawes said. "Our leadership is very strong. We hope that with the numbers we have that this will be an improved team. We can't predict what will happen or where we will be at conference, but we will be a better team."

Senior David Gatz (Delaware/Hayes) successfully defended his conference championships in the 100 and 200 breaststokes and will look for 3 straight league titles in both events. He went on to win All-America laurels in both events, and his fourth-place national finish in the 200 breaststroke matched the best individual finish ever by an Ohio Wesleyan swimmer.

[ Kevin Fahey ] Senior Kevin Fahey (Delaware/Hayes) recorded 3 top-15 finishes at last year's conference championship meet, placing 13th in the 400 IM, the 100 breaststroke, and the 200 breaststroke. He also has top-20 finishes in the 200 backstroke and the 500 freestyle on his resume.

Senior Brad Russell (Delaware/Hayes) placed eighth in both 1-meter and 3-meter diving events last year, senior Chris Potterton (Needham, Mass.) finished 21st in the 1650 freestyle, senior Nathaniel Cook (Delaware/Hayes) was 24th in the 100 breaststroke, and senior Andy Sisson (Greensburg, Pa./Greater Latrobe) contributed on Bishop relay teams last year.

[ Usman Javaid ] Senior Usman Javaid (Lahore, Pakistan/Aitchison), who placed 23rd in the 200 butterfly at the 2008 conference championship meet, returns after missing most of the season with an injury; and seniors Tyler Laws (Lewis Center/Olentangy) and Tony Wong (Cleveland/Cleveland Heights) also return.

Sophomore Jesse Sheldon (Mansfield/Ontario) recorded a top-20 finish in the 200 backstroke last year, sophomore Nathan Eckersley (Cleveland/Mayfield) added a top-25 effort in the 400 IM, and sophomore Evan Huddleson (Westerville/Central) was another contributor on the Bishop relay teams.

Junior Dom Schlabach (Delaware/Hayes) is another returning letterman, along with sophomores Reed Fogle (Delaware/Hayes), Michael Gatz (Delaware/Hayes), and Anthony Harper (Westerville/Central).

For the second straight season, Hawes and the Bishops will be working a large freshman class into the mix.

"There is some great potential there," Hawes said.

Hawes looks for contributions from freshman Matt Magdic (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) in the distance freestyle events, freshman Jacob Perl (Mansfield/Senior) in the breaststroke and freestyle, freshman David Reitan (Green Bay, Wis./Ashwaubenon) in the butterfly and freestyle, freshman Devin Vansky (Marion/Harding) and freshman Andrew Wilson (Oakland, Calif./Metropolitan) in the backstroke and freestyle, and freshman Michael Yontz (Springfield/Catholic Central) in the freestyle events.

Senior Max Seigal (Boulder, Colo./Fountain Valley) is another newcomer to the Bishop swimming program and looks to make a mark in the freestyle events.

Ohio Wesleyan opens its season on Oct. 24 at the NCAC Relays meet. The Bishops kick off the dual meet season on Oct. 30 by hosting NCAC rival Wittenberg, and the NCAC championship meet is scheduled for Feb. 11-13 in Canton.

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