Coming off their most successful performances at last season’s Western Athletic Conference Championships, the Seattle University men’s and women’s swim teams are ready to begin competition in the 2015-16 campaign.
The Redhawks open the season with a home meet Thursday, Oct. 15. Both the men and the women will face Simon Fraser University, with the women also taking on conference rival Northern Colorado. The meet is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. at the Connolly Center Pool.
“I think we are in a very good position entering the season. Our swimmers reported to campus ready to go and in shape. A lot of them are posting practice times faster than they ever have before. The freshmen are learning about what they are capable of doing, and some of them are looking to make an immediate impact,” Seattle U head swim coach Craig Nisgor said.
The men’s team lost a couple of swimmers who scored points in the WAC Championships, but Nisgor believes that the current team will be able to fill those holes quickly. Returning for the Redhawks are All-WAC performers Jack Baldoni (Applegate, Calif.) and Tanner Schelling (Boise, Idaho), as well as seniors Nick Connors (Richland, Wash.), Chris Weinert (Gresham, Ore.), and Gabe Wheeler (Round Rock, Texas). Nisgor also brought in five newcomers that he thinks will contribute to the continued success of the program.
The Seattle U women’s swim team has a lot of experience, led by four All-WAC performers in Kristin Hoffman (Mercer Island, Wash.), Madi Lydig (Spokane, Wash.), Sidney Pinger (Tualatin, Ore.), and Blaise Wittenauer-Lee (Portland, Ore.). Just like the men’s squad, three seniors will provide leadership on the women’s team with Stephanie Bayless (Spokane, Wash.), Jane Liggett (Portland, Ore.), and Allie McGavock (Glen Ellyn, Ill.). The women’s team also welcomes five newcomers who hope to earn their time in the pool when it matters.
One of the ways the swim team has bonded in the preseason is through community service. For the fourth straight year, the team participated in Swim Across America, raising over $5,000 for the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Right before the start of classes, the team helped serve a meal at Community Lunch, reaching out to those within the neighborhood less fortunate.
“One of the things, especially being here at a Jesuit institution like Seattle University, that is important is getting out there and helping the community. Our team embraces that fully and takes great pride in helping others,” added Nisgor.
For the home meets in October and November, spectators will need to enter the facility through the front door to the baseball office, located just off 14th Avenue, and then head up the stairs located immediately to the left of that entrance. Admission is free for all home swim meets.