Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, October 14
Evanston, Ill.
5 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
at
Northwestern
Photo by: EMU Athletics/Chloe Smith
Men's Swimming & Diving Opens Season Against Northwestern
10/13/2016 4:20:00 PM | M. Swim & Dive
The Eagles square off against Northwestern Friday, Oct. 14, in Evanston, Ill.
Top Times
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Coming off its 33rd Mid-American Conference title in program history, the Eastern Michigan University men's swimming and diving team travels to Evanston, Ill. for it season opener against Northwestern University, Oct. 14.
Returning for his 28th season at the helm, Head Coach Peter Linn and the Eagles aim for their 22nd MAC Championship under his direction. Linn's 2016-17 squad is led by seniors Cole Bateman (Hutchinson, Minn.-Hutschinson), Marcin Rzyski (Olsztyn, Poland-Liceum Ogolnoksztalcace #4), Kyle Lichtenberg (Clarkston, Mich.), Chris Cutter (Fishers, Ind.-Fishers), Dan Gironza (New Hudson, Mich.-South Lyon), and Alex Chan (Toronto, Ontario-Neil McNeil Secondary). The Eagles will be without MAC Outstanding Swimmer and NCAA qualifier Andrew Henry, as well as All-MAC honorees Erik Gissen and Kyle Aerne, leaving room for a number of swimmers to emerge as point scorers for the Green and White this season.
SPRINTS - MIDDLE DISTANCE FREESTYLE
With the loss of the reigning MAC Champion in both the 100 and 200 freestyle, the Eagles will look for several swimmers to score points. In the sprints, Erik Brinkhoff (Bethel Park, Pa.-Bethel Park) will look to make the most of his senior season and build off of last year's eighth place finish at the MAC Championships. Connor Johnson (Fort Bragg, N.C.-Terry Stanford), Kevin Moore (Phoenix, Ariz.-Boulder Creek), and Mark Krusinski (Brecksville, Ohio-Brecksville Broadview Heights) could also emerge as consistent point scorers for the Eagles in the event.
In the 100 and 200 free, EMU returns Jake Tyson (Ipswich, England-Northgate), JF Murphy (Montreal, Quebec-Sainte-Anne), and Brinkhoff. Tyson posted top-five finishes in each event at last season's conference meet, and holds some of the top times in program history. Tyson and Brinkhoff combined for a pair of top-16 times at the MAC Championships and will be relied on heavily in the upcoming season to bolster the depth of the Eagles in the mid-distance events.
DISTANCE
A trio of distance swimmers return for their senior seasons in 2016-17, providing the Eagles with experience and depth. Lichtenberg, Cutter, and Rzyski played significant roles in EMU's conference title a season ago, each picking up points in the 1650 freestyle. Lichtenberg's contributions extended to the 500 free where the Clarkston, Mich. native posted a third-place finish with the third-fastest time in EMU laurels. Murphy also showed promise in his freshman season, grabbing a fourth-place finish in the 500 free, clocking in with the ninth-fastest time in program history. Meanwhile, freshman Alex Arrieta (Miami, Fla.-Doral Academy Center) could also turn into a force in the distance events for the Eagles.
BUTTERFLY
Logan Burton (Chesapeake, Va.-Hickory), Johnson, and Rzyski will be looked upon to fill the void of Erik Gissen and Krzysztof Gilski in the butterfly after nabbing points at last season's league championships. Burton holds the third-fastest time in program history in both the 100 and 200 fly, while Johnson's career-best is slotted eighth in the 100 fly. Additionally, Moore and junior Hunter Cook (Hilliard, Ohio-Hilliard Darby) look to build off of their fantastic showing at last year's Ohio State Invitational, while Krusinski looks to make an impact in the event as well.
BACKSTROKE
Despite the loss of Second Team All-MAC selection Gissen, the Eagles are primed for another solid season in the backstroke. Returning alongside Olympic Trials qualifier and two-time MAC Champion Bateman are Burton and Tosh Kawaguchi (Cary, N.C.-Cary). Burton garnered First Team All-MAC honors as a sophomore, while Kawaguchi was a Second Team All-MAC honoree in his first collegiate season. Cutter and Ricky Perez add depth to the Eagles' strength and could also make an impact in the events throughout the season. Collectively, the group holds seven of the fastest times in EMU history in backstroke events.
BREASTSTROKE
With the loss of Chris Hodges and Kyle Aerne, the Eagles are going to rely on the contributions of newcomers in the breaststroke events. Matthew Tsenkov (Sofia, Bulgaria-General Vladimir Stoychev) has the potential to emerge as EMU's top breaststroker in his first season sporting the Green and White.
INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY
Several Eagles will have the opportunitiy to contribute in the individual medley after gaining experience in 2015-16. Tyson, Bateman, Perez, Lichtenberg, and Kawaguchi all competed in the event last season and put Eastern Michigan in a position to consistently score points this season, despite the loss of Henry.
RELAYS
EMU's relays lose mainstays in Henry, Gissen, and Aerne. Both Henry and Gissen were members of the Green and White's MAC Champion winning 400 Free Relay last year, while Aerne often swam a leg of Eastern's medley relays. While the loss of a trio of veterans will make way for a number of different Eagles, Burton, Tyson, Murphy, Bateman, and Brinkhoff all have experience and proven success on the relays.
DIVING
Diving will remain a strength for the Eagles during the 2016-17 season, as Head Diving Coach Buck Smith returns all six divers from last year. The Green and White dominated on the springboard at the MAC Championships a year ago, combining for nine top-eight finishes, including a sweep of the events by Chan. Chan ultimately earned MAC Diver of the Year honors for his efforts, while Tom Gillis (Halifax, Nova Scotia-Citadel) was named MAC Freshman Diver of the Year. In addition to the pair of NCAA qualifiers, the Eagles return two-time All-MAC selection Peter Rusenas (Naperville, Ill.-Naperville Central), Gironza, Brendan O'Shea (South Loyn, Mich.-South Lyon), and Nicholas Fox (Covington, Ky.-Scott). Rusenas showed incredible improvements in his sophomore season, capping the year with top-five scores at the conference championships. Gironza returns after an injury ridden junior campaign, while O'Shea and Fox look to build off of their 2015-16 success. EMU also welcomes Ethan Burke (Westland, Mich.-Livonia Churchill) into the fold.
"We have always enjoyed kicking off the season with Northwestern," Head Coach Peter Linn said. "They are fun to race and provide a test of where we are and what we have to do to get ready for our in conference meets."
Friday's meet marks the sixth consecutive season in which the Eagles will open the season against the Wildcats. EMU holds a 2-3 record against NU since the 2011-12 season, after topping Northwestern, 182-118, at Jones Natatorium to begin the 2015-16 season. In that dual, Kawaguchi, Henry, Hodges, and Chan recorded two first-place finishes apiece. Overall, the Eagles picked up wins in the 200 medley relay, 100 and 200 freestyle, 100 and 200 backstroke, 100 and 200 breaststroke, 1 and 3-meter diving, and 100 butterfly.
Action from Evanston, Ill. between the Eagles and Wildcats gets underway at 4 p.m.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Coming off its 33rd Mid-American Conference title in program history, the Eastern Michigan University men's swimming and diving team travels to Evanston, Ill. for it season opener against Northwestern University, Oct. 14.
Returning for his 28th season at the helm, Head Coach Peter Linn and the Eagles aim for their 22nd MAC Championship under his direction. Linn's 2016-17 squad is led by seniors Cole Bateman (Hutchinson, Minn.-Hutschinson), Marcin Rzyski (Olsztyn, Poland-Liceum Ogolnoksztalcace #4), Kyle Lichtenberg (Clarkston, Mich.), Chris Cutter (Fishers, Ind.-Fishers), Dan Gironza (New Hudson, Mich.-South Lyon), and Alex Chan (Toronto, Ontario-Neil McNeil Secondary). The Eagles will be without MAC Outstanding Swimmer and NCAA qualifier Andrew Henry, as well as All-MAC honorees Erik Gissen and Kyle Aerne, leaving room for a number of swimmers to emerge as point scorers for the Green and White this season.
SPRINTS - MIDDLE DISTANCE FREESTYLE
With the loss of the reigning MAC Champion in both the 100 and 200 freestyle, the Eagles will look for several swimmers to score points. In the sprints, Erik Brinkhoff (Bethel Park, Pa.-Bethel Park) will look to make the most of his senior season and build off of last year's eighth place finish at the MAC Championships. Connor Johnson (Fort Bragg, N.C.-Terry Stanford), Kevin Moore (Phoenix, Ariz.-Boulder Creek), and Mark Krusinski (Brecksville, Ohio-Brecksville Broadview Heights) could also emerge as consistent point scorers for the Eagles in the event.
In the 100 and 200 free, EMU returns Jake Tyson (Ipswich, England-Northgate), JF Murphy (Montreal, Quebec-Sainte-Anne), and Brinkhoff. Tyson posted top-five finishes in each event at last season's conference meet, and holds some of the top times in program history. Tyson and Brinkhoff combined for a pair of top-16 times at the MAC Championships and will be relied on heavily in the upcoming season to bolster the depth of the Eagles in the mid-distance events.
DISTANCE
A trio of distance swimmers return for their senior seasons in 2016-17, providing the Eagles with experience and depth. Lichtenberg, Cutter, and Rzyski played significant roles in EMU's conference title a season ago, each picking up points in the 1650 freestyle. Lichtenberg's contributions extended to the 500 free where the Clarkston, Mich. native posted a third-place finish with the third-fastest time in EMU laurels. Murphy also showed promise in his freshman season, grabbing a fourth-place finish in the 500 free, clocking in with the ninth-fastest time in program history. Meanwhile, freshman Alex Arrieta (Miami, Fla.-Doral Academy Center) could also turn into a force in the distance events for the Eagles.
BUTTERFLY
Logan Burton (Chesapeake, Va.-Hickory), Johnson, and Rzyski will be looked upon to fill the void of Erik Gissen and Krzysztof Gilski in the butterfly after nabbing points at last season's league championships. Burton holds the third-fastest time in program history in both the 100 and 200 fly, while Johnson's career-best is slotted eighth in the 100 fly. Additionally, Moore and junior Hunter Cook (Hilliard, Ohio-Hilliard Darby) look to build off of their fantastic showing at last year's Ohio State Invitational, while Krusinski looks to make an impact in the event as well.
BACKSTROKE
Despite the loss of Second Team All-MAC selection Gissen, the Eagles are primed for another solid season in the backstroke. Returning alongside Olympic Trials qualifier and two-time MAC Champion Bateman are Burton and Tosh Kawaguchi (Cary, N.C.-Cary). Burton garnered First Team All-MAC honors as a sophomore, while Kawaguchi was a Second Team All-MAC honoree in his first collegiate season. Cutter and Ricky Perez add depth to the Eagles' strength and could also make an impact in the events throughout the season. Collectively, the group holds seven of the fastest times in EMU history in backstroke events.
BREASTSTROKE
With the loss of Chris Hodges and Kyle Aerne, the Eagles are going to rely on the contributions of newcomers in the breaststroke events. Matthew Tsenkov (Sofia, Bulgaria-General Vladimir Stoychev) has the potential to emerge as EMU's top breaststroker in his first season sporting the Green and White.
INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY
Several Eagles will have the opportunitiy to contribute in the individual medley after gaining experience in 2015-16. Tyson, Bateman, Perez, Lichtenberg, and Kawaguchi all competed in the event last season and put Eastern Michigan in a position to consistently score points this season, despite the loss of Henry.
RELAYS
EMU's relays lose mainstays in Henry, Gissen, and Aerne. Both Henry and Gissen were members of the Green and White's MAC Champion winning 400 Free Relay last year, while Aerne often swam a leg of Eastern's medley relays. While the loss of a trio of veterans will make way for a number of different Eagles, Burton, Tyson, Murphy, Bateman, and Brinkhoff all have experience and proven success on the relays.
DIVING
Diving will remain a strength for the Eagles during the 2016-17 season, as Head Diving Coach Buck Smith returns all six divers from last year. The Green and White dominated on the springboard at the MAC Championships a year ago, combining for nine top-eight finishes, including a sweep of the events by Chan. Chan ultimately earned MAC Diver of the Year honors for his efforts, while Tom Gillis (Halifax, Nova Scotia-Citadel) was named MAC Freshman Diver of the Year. In addition to the pair of NCAA qualifiers, the Eagles return two-time All-MAC selection Peter Rusenas (Naperville, Ill.-Naperville Central), Gironza, Brendan O'Shea (South Loyn, Mich.-South Lyon), and Nicholas Fox (Covington, Ky.-Scott). Rusenas showed incredible improvements in his sophomore season, capping the year with top-five scores at the conference championships. Gironza returns after an injury ridden junior campaign, while O'Shea and Fox look to build off of their 2015-16 success. EMU also welcomes Ethan Burke (Westland, Mich.-Livonia Churchill) into the fold.
"We have always enjoyed kicking off the season with Northwestern," Head Coach Peter Linn said. "They are fun to race and provide a test of where we are and what we have to do to get ready for our in conference meets."
Friday's meet marks the sixth consecutive season in which the Eagles will open the season against the Wildcats. EMU holds a 2-3 record against NU since the 2011-12 season, after topping Northwestern, 182-118, at Jones Natatorium to begin the 2015-16 season. In that dual, Kawaguchi, Henry, Hodges, and Chan recorded two first-place finishes apiece. Overall, the Eagles picked up wins in the 200 medley relay, 100 and 200 freestyle, 100 and 200 backstroke, 100 and 200 breaststroke, 1 and 3-meter diving, and 100 butterfly.
Action from Evanston, Ill. between the Eagles and Wildcats gets underway at 4 p.m.
Players Mentioned
Free/Fly
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Back/Free
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Free
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Diving
/ M. Swim & Dive
Back/Free
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Diving
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IM/Breast/Fly
/ M. Swim & Dive
Back/Free/IM
/ M. Swim & Dive
Diving
/ M. Swim & Dive
Diving
/ M. Swim & Dive
Fly/Free
/ M. Swim & Dive
Diving
/ M. Swim & Dive
Back/Fly/Free
/ M. Swim & Dive
Free/IM
/ M. Swim & Dive
Breast
/ M. Swim & Dive
Fly/IM
/ M. Swim & Dive
Back/IM
/ M. Swim & Dive
Fly/IM
/ M. Swim & Dive
Free
/ M. Swim & Dive
Fly/Free
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Free
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Diving
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Back/IM
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Diving
/ M. Swim & Dive
Free/Fly
/ M. Swim & Dive
Breast
/ M. Swim & Dive
Fly
/ M. Swim & DiveEastern Michigan Head Coach Peter Linn
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2016 Men's Swimming & Diving Champions: Eastern Michigan
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Day 1 Recap: 2016 Men's Swimming & Diving Championships
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