Oct. 15, 2009

Maryland Men's Swimming and Diving Season Preview

This is part three of a five-part series previewing the Maryland men's swimming and diving season.

Tuesday - Freestyle
Wednesday - Backstroke
Today - Breaststroke
Friday - Fly and IM
Monday, Oct. 19 - Diving and Overview

The Maryland men's swimming and diving team has the challenge of replacing two of the top breaststroke swimmers in school history with the graduation of Eric Cullen and Andy Dilz.

Decorated freshmen Jon Szakelyhidi and Andrew McGehee arrive to Maryland with hopes of filling the void left by Cullen and Dilz. Szakelyhidi won the state crown in the 100 breast in 2009 and also set the Pennsylvania state record in the even while also breaking a total of six school records. McGehee was an All-American at local Montgomery Blair High School.

"We are a whole new crew on the breaststroke and we are looking for these freshmen to step up," head coach Sean Schimmel said. "That's why we brought them here...not just in the breaststroke but on relays as well."

In addition to Szakelyhidi and McGehee, Schimmel and his staff have brought in 11 other freshmen to complete this year's squad.