The men and women’s swimming and diving teams at Keene State College started the season off well in their meet on Oct. 21 against Roger Williams University, winning by scores of 230-61 and 183-105 respectively.
More recently, the teams performed in the New England Invitational against Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The women won six events and the men won nine in the competition on Nov 1.
Matt Allen / Equinox Staff
The Men
Last year the men won the NEISDA [New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association] championship, their fourth in five attempts. They finished the season ranked ninth in the nation.
After graduating three of their seven All-American athletes, leadership on the men’s team would have to come from other places this season.
Randy Dunton, the men’s swim team’s only senior, said he liked how the team has responded to losing many of their upperclassmen.
“We lost a lot of good seniors this year but we have a strong freshmen class. The sophomores and juniors are stepping up as well,” Dunton said.
Head Coach Jack Fabian, who’s in his eighth season as head coach and was named the NEISDA coach of the year, agreed that the freshmen class looked good.
Dunton continued and said there are seven freshmen, all doing extra things in practice and workouts to get better. “They all have different specialties,” he said.
The Women
Last year, the women won the Little East Conference championship as well as their fourth NEISDA championship in six years. They lost three seniors to graduation last year, but this year’s seniors have stepped up and embraced the responsibilities that were left to them.
“The senior girls are very good,” Fabian said.
Lindsey Day, one of those seniors, said they are getting help from some of their other younger teammates.
“The freshmen have done a really great job filling that hole. It’s amazing, even in practice, how much they’re leading. They’re stepping up to the plate when we needed it,” Day said.
Day added that the freshmen have been eager to help the team and swim really well, and are excited to take in what KSC swimming has to offer.
To get the women back to the NCAA Championships, something they failed to do the last two seasons, Day said she thinks the team needs to stay together and continue to work hard.
While some people think of swimming as an individual sport, Day emphasized how much swimmers rely on their teammates to advance in the ranking and eventually reach nationals.
“Everyone needs to work off each other very well,” Day said.
Looking forward, Day is excited for their next meet against Springfield College, “It’s always good to see how we measure up with them.”
Goals
Fabian said the first meet of the season went well, “Generally, I thought people were very focused and their racing skills were good.” While he pointed out that they noticed some holes in their lineup, he said they’re nothing that can’t be fixed as the season progresses.
Dunton continued explaining some other goals he had for the men’s team this year.
“We want to try and get as many people to the NCAA Nationals this year as possible, and I think we can,” Dunton said.
As a senior on the team, Dunton had a more personal goal.
“I would like to see us at ninth place or higher at nationals this year,” Dunton said.
Dunton said he thinks it would be great for the team to be as good, if not better, than last year and leave the team in great shape for next year.
As for the women’s team, Fabian said, “We’d like to get the women back to the NCAA.”
Day agreed with her coach’s goals, but added she also wants the team to get along, be close and especially, have fun. Day explained, “That’s the only way you’re going to do well — if your team is cohesive.”
Winning the NEISDA is also a goal for Day. “I would love to go out winning that [the NEISDA] for the third year in a row, and as a senior,” she said.
KSC travels to Springfield, Massachusetts, on Nov. 15 to take on Springfield College and Wheaton College.
“The people in the program just set high expectations for themselves and when that happens, I think you’re going to do pretty well,” Fabian said.
Fabian continued, “We’ll try and do our best for Keene State [College].”
Skyler Frazer can be contacted at sfrazer@keene-equinox.com
