BEREA, Ohio -- The Baldwin Wallace University men's swimming and diving team seeks to have a much-improved season in 2014-2015.
The Yellow Jacket men were 4-8 overall a year ago. This year's team will be led by sophomore Ohio Athletic Conference champion and two-time school record-holder Jacob Burk (Bowling Green) and senior record-setter Bryan Gerber (Sagamore Hills/ Nordonia).
"I am happy with the leadership that we have in our reurning upperclassmen this year," said Head Coach Laura Wolff. "We have continued to add talent and depth in our freshmen class which is exciting. I am looking forward to these swimmers turning some heads in the OAC this year."
As a freshman, Burk set school records in the 1000-yard freestyle (9:55.51 split during the 1650-yard free at the OAC Championship Meet) and in the 1650 free (16:25.81 at the OAC Championship Meet). He earned All-OAC accolades in two events (1650 free and 400-yard individual medley) and was tabbed as the OAC Men's Swimmer of the Week twice.
Gerber, who holds the school record in the 200-yard breaststroke, set career-bests in the 100-yard free (51.73 seconds), 200-yard free (1:49.21), 500-yard free (5:09.09), 100-yard breaststroke (1:00.24) and 200-yard IM (2:01.49).
In addition, juniors Nathan Onchuck (Darien, Ill./Hinsdale South) and Justin Allison (Napoleon) add depth and strength to the squad. Onchuck specializes in the butterfly and can be strong in the freestyle events. He earned OAC Men's Swimmer of the Week honors once as a freshman. Allison is a sprint freestyler who also competes in the breaststroke and medley relays.
Other returning veterans include sophomores Taylor Elgart (Shaker Heights) and Basem Magd (Fort Washington, Md./Grade Christian Academy) and juniors Henry Hammond (Cleveland Heights), Nick Mossing (Napoleon) and Sean Rudolph, Jr. (Warrensville Heights). The newcomers include sophomore Jesse Crowder (North Royalton), De'Qeayce Swain (Dayton/ David H. Ponitz) and Tyler Thompson (Broadview Heights/Brecksville-Broadview Heights).
The Yellow Jackets open the schedule this Saturday, October 25 when they travel to face Wilmington College for an OAC duale meet in the Wilmington Natatorium at 1 p.m. The next day, Sunday, October 26, BW swims a non-conference dual meet against Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware at 11 a.m. The first home dual meet is on Saturday, November 15 when the team hosts Penn State-Behrend in the BW Natatorium at 1 p.m.
