By Hannah Hecht–The Morningside men’s swim team will travel to Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Nov. 8 to open the 2013-2014 season.
The Mustang men come into the season with a strong team, one that is full of depth in many different events. Leading the Mustangs is sophomore distance swimmer Ben Kurz, who finished seventh in the 1650 yard freestyle last year at NAIA Swimming and Diving National Championships. Over the course of the year, Kurz set individual Morningside records in the 200, 500, 1000, and 1650 yard freestyle events and was part of record-setting 400 and 800 yard freestyle relays.
“Obviously Ben Kurz is going to be a strong part of the team, with his results last year as a freshman,” said Mustang head coach Bryan Farris, “I know he really wants to build on that, so he’ll be big.”
The Mustangs also return junior sprinter Cole Malin, who has been a very strong individual and relay force for the last two years. Malin currently holds individual records in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle events and is the only member of the team who holds relay records in every relay event (the 200 yard medley, 400 yard medley, 200 yard freestyle, 400 yard freestyle, and 800 yard freestyle). His highest individual placing at NAIA Nationals was 25th in the 100 free, but he’s looking forward to placing higher this season.
“I think that Cole will be a big part of the team this year in the sense that he’s made a more committed effort to the end results,” said Farris. “He was happy with last year to a certain extent, but he wants to do even more. He’s not satisfied yet.”
Another Morningside record holding returner is junior Taylor McCloskey, whose records are in the 100 yard butterfly, 200 yard individual medley, 200 yard medley relay, 400 yard medley relay, and 800 yard freestyle relay. The Mustangs also return Josh Karel, with records in the 100 yard breaststroke and 400 yard medley relay, and James Svoboda, part of the record-holding 200 yard medley and 200 yard freestyle relays.
“Taylor is going to be really good because he covers so much ground.” said Farris. “I mean, I don’t know of very many butterfliers who are that good in the 200 fly and that fast at the 50 fly [in the 200 medley relay].”
The team also brings in a group of newcomers including sophomore transfer Matt Burnham along with freshmen Hunter Haws, Tighe Paulk, Alex Paulsen, Evan Perrson, Casey Shumaker, and Marko Spiric.
“Our depth is just fantastic this year,” said Farris, “And coming off last year when I was a new coach and I came in partway through the season, it’s just nice to start off this year with the rhythm of the school. These guys, they just want to get going and start the meet season.”
The Mustang men and women will travel to Coe College and Augustana College on Nov. 7 and 8 to open up the season. They will then follow up with home meets at 7 p.m. on Nov. 15 and 12 p.m. on Nov. 16.
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