Ephmen Try for Sixth Straight Record

Williams Sports Info - February 28, 2008

WILLIAMSTOWN – The Williams College men's swimming and diving team heads north to Middlebury (Vt.) College this weekend in search of a record sixth straight NESCAC Men's Swimming and Diving Championship.

The three-day event begins Friday, Feb. 29, with preliminary heats in the morning and championship races in the evening at the Middlebury College Natatorium. It concludes Sunday, March 2.

Last winter, the Ephs broke the 2,000-point barrier for the second year in a row, winning the championship by 711.5 points over runner-up Amherst - the largest margin of victory in meet history.

The Ephs were dominant in the relay events, setting a new record in the 800-yard freestyle relay and claiming all five championship relays for the third consecutive year.

"We have a strong team," said coach Steve Kuster. "We don't have the talent at the top end in our freestyle events that we have had in the past years, which will make it difficult to make another run at winning all the relays, but I do believe we have a very strong team of 24 - no real weaknesses."

"I look for our breast, fly and IM events to produce finishes at or near the top of the meet," he continued. "Our depth should play a huge role in the success of this weekend. I hope for many events where we are putting a bunch of guys in the top 16, if not top eight."

Junior Tyler Bonewell had a strong showing in the breaststroke in 2007, winning the 100-yard and 200-yard events and tying for second in the 50. Challenging Bonewell's title defense in the 100 and 200 will be senior teammate Henry Felker.

Junior Norman Scott, who won the 50-yard butterfly last winter, currently holds the top times in all three fly races. Other contenders include Eph senior Alex Wentworth-Ping.

In the 500, watch for the Ephs' tandem of rookie Gary Roberson (Tigard, Ore.) and senior Chris Millen (Richboro, Pa.) to have strong showings, as they currently hold the top two times in the NESCAC, respectively. Roberson is a prohibitive favorite in the 1,650 as well.

Millen leads large contingents of Ephs who have posted top eight times thus far in the season in the 200 IM, 200 backstroke and 400 IM. Thatcher Heumann, Henry Felker and Ben Bullitt are ranked in the 200 IM and Bullitt is also ranked in the 200 back and the 400 IM. Heumann is also ranked in the 400 IM.

Joining Millen and Bullitt in the backstroke are Worth MacDonald, Jordan Hollander and Sam Blum.

Connecticut College sophomore Grant Moryan took last year's 50-yard freestyle, the lone freestyle race the Ephs didn't claim, but he will be tested by Williams rookie Ben Wampler, who currently holds the fastest time this season in the 50.

"The success of this weekend for the team will be how well they function together as a unit of 24, can they step up their game from the regular season (where they performed very well all year) and will they defend their title with pride," said Kuster. "If they do, it should be a great weekend for the Ephmen."

Competition will get under way each day with preliminary heats at 10 a.m. Finals will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, 5:50 p.m. Saturday, and 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $5 per session or $25 for a weekend pass for adults and $2 per session or $10 for a weekend pass for children and students. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. for heats and 75 minutes prior to finals. A complete championship schedule along with real-time results will be available at www.nescac.com