Salisbury Swimmers Begin 2004-05 Season With CAC Tri-Meet Saturday
October 25, 2004

Salisbury, MD- The Salisbury University men’s and women’s swim teams have been hard at work since late September in preparation for this Saturday's season-opening meet, when the Gulls travel to Gallaudet for a tri-meet that also includes Mary Washington at 1 pm.

The Sea Gulls return a number of standout swimmers from last season’s team. Senior Ryan Kooy returns to lead the men’s team. Kooy holds school records in the 50-yard free, 100-breast and 200-breast. He capped an excellent junior season with a strong showing at 2004 Capital Athletic Conference Championship Meet, placing third in the 50-free and finishing fifth in the 200-breast.  Also returning to the men’s team is junior Gary Stewart, who had three top finishes at the 2004 CAC championship. 

On the women’s side, sophomore Laura Allen, who holds school records in the 100- and 200-breast and the 400-individual medley, returns for her second season. Allen had a strong performance at the 2004 CAC championship. She finished fourth in the 100-breast and second in the 200-breast, registering Salisbury’s highest individual finish in the championship. Allen also added a fifth place finish in the 400-IM.

Also returning for the women’s team is senior distance swimmer Rachel Lazarick (pictured). Lazarick recorded a sixth place finish in the 1650-free at the 2004 CAC championship. Versatile senior Ashley Letterman also strengthens the women’s team with her ability to swim any necessary events.

The Sea Gulls welcome a number of fresh faces to the 2004-05 teams. Sophomore transfer Laura Kraemer is likely to be a contender in the butterfly and freestyle events. Freshman Matt Anderson is expected to help the men’s team with strong performances in the backstroke and freestyle events.

“We have a lot of depth in every event on both teams, said 10th year Head Coach Jill Stephenson. "This will give us options to move people where we need them according to the other team’s strengths and weaknesses.  

A victory in the season-opening tri-meet is among the team’s early goals. According to Stephenson, “we are trying to stay as close to Mary Washington as possible while staying ahead of Gallaudet. Since it is a tri-meet we will only be able to have two swimmers per event. Our team goals are to concentrate on doing our best in each event and to support and encourage our teammates.”

Fans can check out the Sea Gulls at home on November 2. The Gulls host Rowan at 6 pm at Maggs Pool in their first home event of the season.