Oct. 20, 2003
THIS WEEK — The University of Iowa men’s swimming team will open its season at the Fieldhouse Pool against Michigan State Friday at 2 p.m. It will then travel to Madison, WI, Saturday to compete against Wisconsin at 2 p.m.
2003-04 SEASON OUTLOOK — The University of Iowa men’s swimming team is hoping that an experienced group of upperclassmen, along with a solid recruiting class, will lead to success in the 2003-04 season. Head Coach John Davey expects experience, along with talent, will help the Hawkeyes improve on last year’s finish. The Hawkeyes return 14 of the 17 top individual performances from last year, as well as all four legs of the 200 and 400 medley relays. Davey is looking forward to a strong mix of five seniors, 12 juniors, four sophomores, and five freshmen. Leading the way will be seniors Jason Snider and Andrei Prada, juniors Timo Klami and Cal Shelangoski, and sophomores Cameron Dye and Konrad Kazmierczak. Snider is the top returning butterflier and IM’er, while Dye returns as the team’s top distance freestyle swimme. He posted last year’s season best times in the 500, 1,000, and 1,650 events. Kazmierczak was last year’s top swimmer in the sprint freestyle events, holding season best times in the 50 and 200. Prada and Shelangoski, Iowa’s top returning breaststrokers, both scored in the 100 and 200 events at last year’s Big Ten Championships.
HEAD COACH John Davey — Former Hawkeye all-American John Davey is in his fifth year as head swim coach. Davey is the only Big Ten athlete in any sport to ever be named conference Athlete of the Year in their sport four consecutive years. While at Iowa, Davey won 10 Big Ten titles and was a 10-time all-American.
QUOTING DAVEY — “It’s unusual for us to begin the season with Big 10 opponents on consecutive days, especially when the second one is on the road. To have Michigan State and Wisconsin on back to back days is great preparation for the championship meet at the end of the season. Michigan State has an improved team and will be a good test for us but it’s nice to have our first meet at home. Wisconsin is a very strong team, finishing fifth at the conference meet last year. They typically swim fast early in the year. We are expecting to be much more competitive than last year at this point. Wisconsin will be a good gauge for us to measure against.”