Coming off a tremendous campaign last year, the Rutgers swimming and diving team readies for yet another historic season in 2014-15, the program’s first in the prestigious Big Ten conference. The Scarlet Knights look forward to the journey ahead as they continue to build on past success.
Rutgers 2014-15 squad consists of 14 letterwinners, along with six freshmen. The Scarlet Knights return three swimmers who currently lead the record books.
Senior Greta Leberfinger (Chatham, N.J.) holds the record for the 200 breaststroke, while junior Johanna Wu (Kent, Wash.) holds the top times for the 100 and 200 backstroke. Junior Morgan Pfaff (Red Lion, Pa.) leads program history with record times in a total of three events – the 200 fly, the 200 IM and the 400 IM. Leberfinger and Wu were also part of the 400 medley team that reset the school record.
The Scarlet Knights hope to build on the momentum from their outstanding performances a year before, as well as capitalize on their solid off-season preparation.
2013 Recap
Rutgers concluded the 2013-14 season with a third-place finish in the American Athletic Conference, after its first and only year in the league. The year was highlighted by former Scarlet Knight, Nicole Scott, and Wu both participating at the 2014 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships.
Last season, the record book did not stand a chance against the athleticism of this Scarlet Knight squad. A total of nine school records were shattered over the course of the season.
In addition to remarkable results in the pool, Rutgers strived in the classroom as well, being named a College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Schloar All-America Team for the second-consecutive year.
“Coming off a solid performance last year, putting a swimmer and a diver at the NCAA meet and finishing third in the AAC’s, the team is highly motivated going into this season,” said fifth-year head coach and 2014 AAC Coach of the Year, Phil Spiniello. “That motivation definitely came across in spring training. We also wrapped up a great summer with some really great results.”
The build up from the off-season will enable Rutgers to get off to a quick start this year.
Scarlet Knights in the Off-Season
Over the summer, Leberfinger, Pfaff and Wu represented Rutgers at the 2014 Phillips 66 Swimming and Diving National Championships in Irvine, Calif.
With her results at the US Nationals, Leberfinger has qualified for the 2016 Olympic Trials. The year ahead will give the rest of the Scarlet Knights a chance qualify for the trial meet.
The Scarlet Knights also put up strong performances at the Florida Sectionals in July.
Rutgers made the most if its time off, never wavering from the drive to achieve success in the upcoming campaign. From hours in the weight room to intensified workouts, Rutgers is focusing on what it takes to see the pay-off in the long run
“The team is aware that we need to raise our training up to the next level. They understand Big Ten competition is going to be a challenge and they are ready to rise to that challenge,” said Spiniello.
The team is set to dive right in to the upcoming season.
Schedule
The 2014-15 slate consists of eight home meets and four away. In addition to RU’s usual opponents, Rutgers welcomes new conference foe Penn State “To the Banks.”
“We start off with our traditional schedule. We also have Penn State coming to town, which is going to be a tough meet,” said Spiniello.
After an intersquad meet on Friday, Oct. 3, Rutgers opens the 2014-15 campaign with the Sonny Werblin Invite on Friday, Oct. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 18. Next, RU hosts Wagner (Oct. 31) before its annual Alumni Meet (Nov. 1).
The Scarlet Knights continue the season at home with a quad meet featuring Villanova, Georgetown and Seton Hall (Nov. 7-8).
Rutgers then hosts the annual Frank Elm Invite, including Columbia, Central Connecticut, Long Island University, Northeastern, Wagner and the University of New Hampshire. The three-day event is set to start on Friday, Nov. 21.
RU then hits the road, first stopping at Boston University (Dec. 6) followed by a trip to Coral Gables, Fla. to compete against the University of Miami and Tulane (Jan. 10).
On Friday, Jan. 16, Rutgers faces its first Big Ten matchup against Penn State. The two-day event will show how RU fairs in conference action.
After RU travels to New Hampshire (Jan. 24), the Scarlet Knights close the regular season at home, facing Georgetown for the second time of the year along with Providence (Feb. 7).
The Big Ten Swimming and Diving Championships are set for Wednesday, Feb. 18 through Saturday, Feb. 21 in Columbus, Ohio. Following the conference championship, Rutgers hosts the Zone Diving Championships (Mar. 9-11).
The 2015 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships will take place on Thursday, March 19 through Saturday, March 21.
“The biggest thing we focus on within our schedule is the Big Ten Championship,” said Spiniello. “Those four days in February is what our season is all about. We are trying to finish as high as we can, place as high as we can and put as many people at the NCAAs as possible.“
Outlook
Led by senior captains Brogan Lee (Lindstrom, Minn.) and Leberfinger, Rutgers is ready to embrace the exciting challenges of the season. With new competition and strong momentum, RU is set for a successful campaign. The key to a triumphant year depends on every single Scarlet Knight.
“If we are going to be successful this season and in the conference, it needs to be an entire team effort. I am expecting everyone to do their part and to stand out in their own way,” said Spiniello.
From the 14 returners to the six newcomers, every student-athlete out in the pool or on the diving platform will make a difference during the year. The team’s contributions as a whole will lead Rutgers through a historic inaugural season in the Big Ten Conference.
“Overall, the team is very motivated and very excited, as is the staff,” said Spiniello. “We know it is going to be a challenge, but as a program we are embracing that challenge and we look forward to what it will bring.”
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For exclusive Swimming and Diving updates, follow the team @RUSwimDive. Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on both social media outlets along withwww.ScarletKnights.com.
College Swimming News courtesy of Rutgers swimming and diving.
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