BEREA, Ohio – The Baldwin Wallace University men's swimming and diving team is ready to race to the top of the Ohio Athletic Conference in 2021-2022 with many newcomers.
In her 11th year with the team, head coach Laura Wolff-Demaline returns a total of six letterwinners including an All-OAC performer. The Yellow Jackets were only able to compete in five meets last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and look forward to racing in 13 meets this season.
"Our staff could not be more excited about the team we have to work with this year. We have so many motivated, and hardworking individuals in the pool- coupled with the leadership of our upperclassmen we really think we have found a recipe for success." Wolff-Demaline said. "Last year we worked hard to be grateful for every opportunity we had in a shortened, COVID season - however this year we can put together a full season plan and we can't wait to see where this group will be in February."
The men's squad that features one senior, five juniors, three sophomores and 21 newcomers will be led by junior All-OAC Zachary Pierce (Willis, Texas / Klein Collins). Pierce, who was the 2019-2020 OAC Diver of the Year and a two-time OAC champion as a freshman, will seek a return to the top of the podium in his junior campaign.
In addition to Pierce, leadership will come from senior freestyler Conner Hartup (Westlake), junior stroker Austin Olsavsky (Medina), junior stroker Alec McNeil (Avon Lake), junior freestyler Jay Johnson (Baton Rouge, La. / Lee) and junior stroker Nathan Massey (Columbus / Centennial). Olsavsky is a member of the school-record holding 800-yard freestyle relay team, a record that was set back in the 2019-2020 season.
After getting their feet wet in their first collegiate season, sophomores Grant Doolittle (Tekonsha, Mich. / Marshall) and Mason Kooyman (Concord Township / Chardon) return to improve on the times from their freshman campaign.
Twenty-one newcomers will dive right in, looking to make an immediate impact on the team: Sophomore Dylan Kooyman (Painesville / Chardon) and freshmen Will Bolin (Mansfield / Ontario), Cole Frisby (Madison), Yaro Hapyuk (North Royalton), Jason Heisler (Saline, Mich. / Saline), Aidan Hicks (Oneida), Jack Kielmeyer (Westerville / South), Austin Kingsley (Northport, N.Y. / Northport), Martin Koenen (Chardon), Sam Kurtz (Stow / Archbishop Hoban), Will Laskey (Mansfield / Madison), Ethan McKinney (Indianapolis, Ind. / Herron), Tommie McQueary (Batavia / Bethel Tate), Gannon Mellett (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Moon Area), Luke Minick (Stow / Archbishop Hoban), Ethan Morrison (Conneaut), Davis Pickett (Akron / Firestone), Gavin Skwirut (Latrobe, Pa. / Greater Latrobe), Tyson Swihart (Sarasota, Fla. / Sarasota Military Academy), Jason Tafoya (El Paso, Texas / El Paso) and Erik Tagg (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Chartiers Valley).
BW opens the 2021-22 campaign on Saturday, October 16, when the Yellow Jackets host Wilmington College for the first home meet, inside the BW Natatorium.
