Michigan State Swimming & Diving Men s Outlook. Michigan State Spartans

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1 Men s Outlook Michigan State Spartans 19

2 Men s Swimming Season Outlook LOADED UP AND DOWN THE LINEUP Spartans aim to climb Big Ten standings This may be the year the Michigan State men s swimming & diving team reaches new heights. The Spartans return 16 letterwinners from last year s team. Coupled with a strong eight-man recruiting class, head coach Matt Gianiodis may have his best team yet. This is the first time in a long time that we have every event covered, Gianiodis said. With that said, some of the events will have to be covered by freshmen. Normally, I wouldn t be comfortable about that, but our incoming freshmen had a great summer. This team s lofty goals are built on the team s high level of potential. Gianiodis says over half of the Spartans have the ability to score at the Big Ten meet. It s just a matter of putting in the hard work, staying healthy and everyone coming together as a team. We have very good swimmers on this team. I would say half to possibly two-thirds of our roster has the ability to score in the conference meet. Will they? Maybe, maybe not. But they all can. And we will strive toward that goal every day in practice. Here is an event-by-event breakdown of the Spartans: Sprint Freestyle MSU returns six swimmers that can contribute in the sprint freestyle events. One of those athletes is senior Adam Schmitt, who is one of the team s three captains and best overall swimmer. Any discussion about the men s team must begin with Adam Schmitt, Gianiodis said. He can swim a lot of events, and he s been through the ringer enough that he can take it to the next level. For him, that is for him to make it to the NCAA Championships. Schmitt will certainly have his shot at an NCAA berth. The Grand Haven, Mich., native has garnered three career top 10 finishes at the Big Ten Championships and he has won multiple heats against top competition over the past three years. His sophomore brother, Joe Schmitt, will be counted on to score in the sprint free along with sophomores Matt Massman and Garrett Ruhland and senior co-captain Matt McNichols. Massman trained extremely hard this past summer and may be one of the team s most improved swimmers. Ruhland is the strongest swimmer on the team, and the Spartans hope his athleticism and explosiveness translate to success in the pool. And nobody works harder than McNichols, who is a versatile swimmer and devoted team leader who Gianiodis refers to as Mr. Spartan. Junior Mark Rogers and freshman Mark Healey will provide depth in the freestyle unit, giving the Spartans several capable options that allow Gianiodis to shuffle his swimmers around in different events. Mid-Distance Freestyle The mid-distance freestyle group is the team s deepest and most talented unit. Headlining the group are both Schmitt brothers, sophomore Sho Koba and McNichols. Sophomore Gabe Strickler and and senior tricaptain Jason Vadney are also among the team s best in this area. This is probably our strongest group, Gianiodis said. It s our deepest group, and if we were going to take a relay team to the next level, it would probably be the 800 free relay. Those are our best mid-distance freestyle guys. Last year, Vadney, Strickler, Koba and Adam Schmitt competed in the 800 free relay at the Big Ten Championships and turned in the team s best relay finish of the meet. The wild card in the group is Vadney, a fifth-year senior who has pretty much faced every obstacle imaginable to have a shot at a solid final season. After two shoulder surgeries that led to a medical redshirt season in , Vadney is ready to lead the mid-distance freestyle group again. Strickler, who saw most of his success in the backstroke, showed flashes of becoming a great freestyle swimmer in his rookie campaign a year ago. He won the 200 free versus Ball State and also placed in the 200 free in the Michigan/Princeton triangular before earning the spot as the final leg of the 800 free relay. Koba notched several 200 free relays as a freshman despite spending most of the year adjusting to collegiate swimming. With a year of experience, Koba could be one of MSU s best in the 100, 200 and even the 500 freestyle events. Finally, the Schmitt brothers will be counted on to do some damage in the mid-distance events. But having so many talented swimmers in the group allows Gianiodis to mix and match his versatile swimmers depending on the meet. Distance Freestyle The distance freestyle is where the young Spartans will either sink or swim. Of the six swimmers in the group, five are freshmen. The only returning distance free swimmer is junior Krysztof Olszewski, but the good news is he could be one of the best in the Big Ten. Krysztof was a stalwart in our dual meets last year, and we need him to be strong for us, Gianiodis said. If he can do what we think he is capable of, that will make us much stronger in this area. Coupled with Olszewski s talent and with what the young swimmers have shown so far, MSU s distance group should do more than hold its own. 20 Michigan State Spartans

3 Men s Swimming Season Outlook We ve had two really good recruiting classes in a row. At this point, our guys have done things the right way. They have come together from diving all the way to the sprint group, and that s a reflection on the leadership we have in those guys. Newcomers L. Colby Ward, Ricky Forrest and Patrick Berg are first in line for chances to score in the distance events. Ward is a three-time allstate swimmer from the Detroit suburbs who enjoyed great success in the prep ranks, while Forrest is a former high school state champion with an extensive swimming background. And with Berg s high-level work rate, it won t be long before he touches the wall before his competition. Another pair of freshmen, Brian Rockwell and Michael VanBeek, will also contribute and are who Gianiodis calls true Spartan swimmers. Breaststroke The Spartans have two talented veterans in Joe Schmitt and junior Marcus Poteete to shore up the breaststroke corps. Poteete owned MSU s top 200 breast time last year and is poised for a huge season after qualifying for the Olympic Trials in the 100 fly. Schmitt placed high in both the 100 and 200 breastroke in several events last season, and is second to Poteete among returning breaststroke swimmers. The breaststroke unit will receive a lift with the addition of freshman Kevin Puskaric. The newcomer from the Chicagoland area paced second in Illinois in the 100 breast last year, placing a time of that would have also been the best effort on MSU s team. Adding Puskaric could give Michigan State a chance to control the breaststoke points in most of its meets. Butterfly As good as Poteete is in the breaststroke, his true calling is the butterfly, where he placed second at the United State Central Zone Championship last summer. Marcus probably has the best credentials on our team, because he s the only Olympic Trial qualifier we have, Gianiodis said. Our hope is that he uses what he accomplished last summer and realizes how good he really is. He should be knocking on the door for a berth in the NCAA meet in the butterfly. However, prior to last summer, Vadney was the team s best in the butterfly, owning the team s top times in both the 100 and 200 fly. Forrest and another freshman, Tim Lilja, will provide the Spartans with support in the butterfly, along with senior Tony Grace. Backstroke The Spartans also have the backstroke covered. Rising sophomore Jon LaRocque, coupled with Strickler and Ward, comprise the group. LaRocque was consistently near the top of the results in meets last season, and was also a stalwart on MSU s medley relay. He swam the lead leg in the 200 and 400 medley relay teams at the Big Ten Championships, helping the Spartans to season-best times in those events. Gianiodis, like the mid-distance free, is high on Strickler and lists him high in the backstroke group. Ward is a high-endurance swimmer and is also expected to contribute in the back events. Olszewski and Adam Schmitt also have experience in the backstroke. Individual Medley In what Gianiodis refers to as a very solid group, the Spartans will be very solid in the IM area. Poteete and Adam Schmitt headline the unit, but they have plenty of help. Senior Matt Torres gives the group a veteran presence and LaRocque and Forrest will also be in the mix. Schmitt owned the team s top 200 IM last season, and his versatility in each stroke makes him the team s top IM option. Poteete performed well in the 200 IM last year and LaRocque is also expereienced in the event. Torres gives MSU help in the 400 IM, where Forrest could contribute as well. Another IM swimmer to watch would be Olszewski, who owned the team s top 400 IM time last year. Diving Michigan State has two sophomore divers, David Garry and Ivan Zalessov. Diving coach Eric Best, in his sixth year at MSU, senses Garry and Zalessov could will only get better with time. Garry capped a solid freshman campaign by placing 13th on the three-meter board at the Big Ten Championships and then earning a berth in the finals of the Zone C Regional Championship in Ann Arbor. David came into his own last year with great performances at the Big Ten meet and the NCAA Regional, Best said. If he continues his rate of improvement, he will become a diver to take notice of. Zalessov was at his best during the season, as he posted the team s best scores at the Northwestern Invite in November. The native Russian placed 14th in one-meter diving at the Big Ten Championships. I expect Ivan to build on a strong freshman year, Best said. He trained very hard over the summer and made some major improvements in technique and strength. Schedule The Spartans will up their workload this season, swimming in 10 different dual meets. Last year, the MSU men competed in just six dual meets. Another twist to the schedule has nine of those events in opposing pools. MSU opens the season on the road at Iowa (Oct. 26) and St. Bonaventure (Nov. 8) before heading to a two-day triangular at Penn State against Virginia and the host Nittany Lions. On Nov. 30, Michigan State will compete in the multi-team Ohio State Invitational and a trip to Ball State on Dec. 8 concludes the calendar year. After a trip to Valparaiso on Jan. 11, the schedule gets Big Ten heavy, with road dual meets at Purdue (Jan. 12) and Michigan (Jan. 18) and a triangular at Ohio State with Eastern Michigan on Jan. 19. Gianiodis constructed the schedule to have multiple occasions where the Spartans would have to compete on consecutive days. We schedule meets on back-to-back days to help us prepare for Big Ten competition, he said. There are going to be many times when we re going to have to swim several times in a single week. The men s team s only home meet of the season is a 6 p.m. dual meet against Oakland on Jan. 25. The Big Ten Championships are at the end of February and NCAA Championships begin March 21 in Federal Way, Wash. With this year s team being possibly Gianiodis most talented and experienced, he thinks the team can handle the tough schedule and will aim to compete at the Big Ten Championships. We ve got guys like Adam Scmitt, McNichols and Vadney, all guys who have been here for a while, the Spartan head coach said. They ve been through it and know what it s like to be in this conference. They understand what it takes to swim at this level. Senior Adam Schmitt is MSU s best swimmer and is reaching for a trip to the NCAA Championships. Michigan State Spartans 21

4 PATRICK BERG DAVID GARRY FRESHMAN DISTANCE FREESTYLE BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICH. BROTHER RICE A HARD WORKER WHO ENJOYED GREAT IMPROVEMENT AS A HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR, HE WILL HELP MSU IN THE DISTANCE FREE EVENTS. High School: Two-time High School All-American at Brother Rice under coach Michael Venos... Captured all-area and all-catholic honors... Named team s most dedicated swimmer twice... Led Brother Rice to team state title as a senior... Helped team finish second in the state during junior season... Served as team captain as a senior... Also competed at Junior Nationals and YMCA Nationals. Personal: Born Jan. 2, 1989 in Detroit, Mich.... Son of John and Beth Berg... Brother, John Henry, swam at Michigan State... Pre-Dental major. RICKY FORREST FRESHMAN FREESTYLE/BUTTERFLY LAKE ORION, MICH. LAKE ORION ANOTHER TALENTED ATHLETE WITH A SWIMMING BACKGROUND, HE HAS THE ABILITY TO COMPETE WELL AT THE BIG TEN LEVEL. High School: Four-time High School All-American honoree at Lake Orion for coach Paul Fairman... Won state championship in the 500 free and placed 16th in the mile as a senior... Captured Oakland County and Misca Invitational championships in the 500 free in Placed third in the 500 free and sixth in the 200 fly at the state meet as a junior... Also competed at the state championships his freshman and sophomore years... Four-time OAA Scholar Student-Athlete selection... Named team captain as a senior. Personal: Born June 17, 1989 in Rochester, Mich. Son of Richard and Maggie Forrest Father, Richard, swam at Central Michigan... Kinesiology major. SOPHOMORE DIVING WARREN, MICH. DE LASALLE FOLLOWING TRIP TO NCAA REGIONAL, HE COULD BE A DIVER TO WATCH FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS. Freshman Season: Voted team s Freshman of the Year... Competed at NCAA Regional... Posted at least one top-three finish in four dual meets... Posted season-best on the three-meter board versus Michigan and Princeton (11/11)... Placed first in one-meter diving (264.97) and placed second off three-meter board (270.75) versus Ball State (12/9)... Closed dual meet season with third-place three-meter showing (263.40) against Oakland (1/19)... Placed 13th on three-meter board (289.95) and 22nd in the one-meter dive (234.65) at the Big Ten Championships. High School: A four-year letterwinner at De LaSalle for coach Sarah Loop All-American as a junior and senior State finalist during junior and senior seasons MISCA Champion as a senior Two-time Catholic League Champion Three-time all-county champion Member of the National Honor Society. Personal: Born May 4, 1988 in Shelby Twp., Mich. Son of Daniel and Marlene Garry Supply chain management major. TONY GRACE SENIOR BUTTERFLY ALMA, MICH. ALMA ONE OF THE TEAM S EXPERIENCED LEADERS, HE HAS A STRONG WORK ETHIC AND CAN CAP OFF A GREAT MSU CAREER WITH A STRONG SENIOR SEASON. Junior Season: Notched best performance against Ball State, placing third in the 200 fly (2:04.21) and fourth in the 200 and 500 free... Finished fifth in the 500 free (4:57.19) versus Iowa (10/28)... Competed in the 500 free and 100 fly at the Big Ten Championships. Sophomore Season: Finished fifth in the 200 free (1:47.39) against St. Bonaventure (1/28) Competed in the Big Ten Championships. Freshman Season: Set career bests in the 200 free (1:43.97), 500 free (4:41.33) and mile free (16:37.62) at the Big Ten Championships... Set a career best in the 1,000 free against Notre Dame and Pittsburgh (10:06.56). High School: Three-time all-state selection... Helped team win state championships in his sophomore, junior and senior years... Four-year letterwinner... Member of three all-state relay teams. Personal: Born Nov. 25, 1985 in Lansing, Mich.... Son of Jeff and Diane Grace... Business major. 22 Michigan State Spartans

5 MARK HEALEY JON LAROCQUE FRESHMAN SPRINT FREESTYLE JENISON, MICH. JENISON A TALENTED PROSPECT, HE WILL INITIALLY WILL PROVIDE DEPTH IN THE SPRINT FREESTYLE UNIT. High School: Three-time letterwinner for coach Dave McWaters... Twotime All-America and all-state selection... Gathered all-conference accolades three times... Competed on state-placing 200 free relay (4th) and 400 free relay (7th) teams as a senior... Also placed seventh in the state in the 100 free and eighth in the 50 free... Competed on schoolrecord 200 free relay team during junior season... Served as team captain as a senior... Also earned two varsity letters in water polo. Personal: Born Feb. 1, 1989 in Grand Rapids, Mich.... Son of Kenneth and Pamela Healey... Undecided on a major. SHO KOBA SOPHOMORE BACKSTROKE/IM BAY CITY, MICH. JOHN GLENN FOLLOWED A SUCCESSFUL FRESHMAN SEASON WITH A STRONG SUMMER, HE WILL BE ONE OF MSU S TOP BACKSTROKE SWIM- MERS. Freshman Season: Opened season with fourth-place swims in the 100 and 200 back versus Iowa (10/28)... Scored in the 200 back at Notre Dame (11/10)... Placed second in the 100 back (54.44) versus Ball State (12/9)... Notched a fourth-place effort in 100 back against Purdue (1/13)... Scored in 100 and 200 back in regular season finale versus Oakland (1/19)... Competed in the 200 IM and 400 medley relay at the Big Ten Championships. High School: Four-year letterwinner in swimming and baseball at John Glenn High School Earned All-America honors in six events Named Independent Swim Conference Swimmer of the Meet four times Swam for the Flint Falcons club team for four years. Personal: Born March 15, 1988 in Saginaw, Mich. Son of Robert and Debra LaRocque Packaging major. SOPHOMORE DISTANCE FREESTYLE TOYOTA, JAPAN ANN ARBOR PIONEER NOW WITH A SEASON OF COLLEGIATE SWIMMING EXPERIENCE, MSU LOOKS FOR BIG THINGS FROM HIM IN THE DISTANCE FREE- STYLE EVENTS. Freshman Season: Opened regular season with a second-place showing in 200 free (1:42.91) and a third place swim in the 100 free (47.98) versus Iowa (10/28)... Placed second in the 200 free (1:41.05) at Notre Dame (11/10)... Won 200 free (1:40.61) against Princeton (11/11)... Took first in the 100 fly (51.14) and third in the 500 free (4:52.07) versus Ball State (12/9)... Clocked season-best time of 4:36.34 en route to first place in the 500 free against Purdue (1/13)... Won 200 free (1:39.69) and placed second in the 100 free (45.70) in season finale versus Oakland (1/19)... Competed in 200 and 500 free and a pair of relays at the Big Ten Championships. High School: Three-time letterwinner in swimming at Pioneer for coach Dannie Hill All-America and all-state honoree... Also competed on the Ann Arbor Swim Club. Personal: Born May 4, 1987 in Toyota, Japan Son of Hiroyuki and Junko Koba Mechanical engineering major. Senior Matt McNichols is one of MSU s main sprint freestyle swimmers and a team captain. Michigan State Spartans 23

6 TIM LILJA MATT MCNICHOLS FRESHMAN BUTTERFLY MOKENA, ILL. LINCOLN-WAY EAST CAME TO MSU AFTER ATTENDING THE SPARTANS SWIMMING CAMPS, HE WILL PROVIDE HELP IN THE BUTTERFLY GROUP. High School: Four-time letterwinner for coach Paul Desruisseaux... Won conference and sectional championships in the 100 fly... Three-time state qualifier... Earned all-state status in medley relay... Led Lincoln-Way East to a ninth-place team finish as a senior... Served as team captain... Honor roll student all four years, including high honor roll honors as a freshman... National Honor Society member... Also earned two varsity letters in water polo. Personal: Born Oct. 26, 1988 in Oak Lawn, Ill.... Son of Michael and Monica Lilja... Kinesiology major. MATT MASSMAN SOPHOMORE SPRINT FREESTYLE LIVONIA. MICH. LIVONIA AFTER A VERY STRONG SUMMER, HE CAN BE THE TEAM S MOST IMPROVED SWIMMER AND WILL CONTRIBUTE IN THE SPRINT FREE- STYLE. Freshman Season: Scored team points in the 100 and 200 back and the 200 IM in season opener versus Iowa (10/28)... Placed first in 50 free against Purdue (1/13)... Notched fourth-place showing in the 50 free (21.70) versus Oakland (1/19)... Competed in 50, 100 and 200 freestyle events at Big Ten Championships. SENIOR FREESTYLE/BUTTERFLY/IM NAPERVILLE, ILL. CENTRAL KNOWN TO COACH GIANIODIS AS MR. SPARTAN, HE HAS A GREAT PASSION FOR THE UNIVERSITY AND CAN SHOW THAT WITH A STRONG SENIOR SEASON. Junior Season: Awarded team s Jack Seibold Award For Leadership... Opened season with a second-place 100 fly swim (52.28) against Iowa (10/28)... Placed third in the 100 free (47.50) versus Princeton (11/11)... Scored second-place finishes in the 200 free against Ball State (12/9) and Oakland (1/19)... Competed in the 50, 100 and 200 free and competed on the 200 free relay at the Big Ten Championships. Sophomore Season: Placed first in the 200 free against Grand Valley State (10/21) Placed first in the 100 free against St. Bonaventure (1/28) Placed second in the 200 free against Notre Dame (1/21). Freshman Season: Set season bests in the 50 free (22.08) and the 100 free at the Georgia Invitational (48.78)... Set career bests in the 200 free (1:40.98) and the 500 free (4:46.91) at the Big Ten Championships... Earned a season-high fourth-place finish in the 200 free against Michigan (1:46.21). High School: Four-year letterwinner in swimming and a three-year letterwinner in water polo at Naperville Central... Three-time all-state selection... Finished sixth in the state in the 100 free and 200 free... All-Dupage Valley Conference selection... Named team captain in swimming and water polo as a senior... Four-time varsity letterwinner... Was named high school Athlete of the Year. Personal: Born Jan. 6, 1986 in Downers Grove, Ill.... Son of Jim and Marcia McNichols... Both parents swam at Iowa State... Twin sister, Lauren, runs track at Ball State... Sister, Kelly, swims for the University of Georgia... Packaging major. High School: Four-time letterwinner in swimming at Stevenson under coach Jeff Shoemaker Earned All-America honors in five events Also earned all-state and all-conference honors. Personal: Born Dec. 24, 1987 in Detroit, Mich. Son of John and Maryanne Massman Criminal justice major. Senior Matt McNichols is one of MSU s main sprint freestyle swimmers and a team captain. 24 Michigan State Spartans

7 KRYSZTOF OLSZEWSKI MARCUS POTEETE JUNIOR DISTANCE FREESTYLE/IM TORUN, POLAND SMS OSWIECIM PRIMED FOR A BREAKOUT SEASON IN THE DISTANCE EVENTS, HE HAS THE ABILITY TO BE A TOP SWIMMER IN THE BIG TEN. Sophomore Season: Dominated the distance events, registering seven first-place swims in the 500 and 1,000 freestyle events... Opened the season with win season-best 9:23.89 in the 1,000 free versus Iowa (10/28)... Placed first in the 1,000 free (9:24.06) and third in the 500 free (4:36.96) at Notre Dame (11/10)... Won the 500 free (4:43.37) and the 1,000 free (9:26.66) on Nov. 11 against Princeton and Michigan... Swam to a firstplace finish in the 200 IM (1:57.13) and 1,000 free (9:25.71) versus Ball State (12/9)... Posted second-place finishes in the 200 IM (1:57.88) and 1,000 free (9:28.60) against Purdue (1/13).. Won the 500 and 1,000 free in regular season finale versus Oakland (1/19)... Placed 18th in the 400 IM at the Big Ten Championships... Also competed in the 500 and mile free at the conference meet. Freshman Season: Placed second in the 1000 free (9:28.17) against Notre Dame (1/21) Finished fifth in the 500 free (4:35.27) at the Ohio State Invitational (12/2) Took first place in the 1000 free (9:45.89) and the 500 free (4:40.17) against Oakland (1/20) Set a career high in the 400 IM (4:02.48) at the Big Ten Championships. High School: Member of the Polish National Team... Polish national champion in the 400 IM, ages High school national champion with SMS Oswiecim. Personal: Born April 4, 1986 in Torun, Poland... Son of Kazimierz and Hanna Olszewski... Telecommunications major. JUNIOR BREASTSTROKE/IM SANTA CRUZ, CALIF. HARBOR AFTER BECOMING THE ONLY SPARTAN TO QUALIFY FOR THE OLYM- PIC TRIALS, THE STAGE IS SET FOR HIM TO HAVE A BIG SEASON. Sophomore Season: Shared John Narcy Most Improved Swimmer award with Joe Schmitt... Posted at least one top-three finish in six dual meets... Opened the season with a third-place showing in the 200 breast (2:12.77)... Won 200 breast heats at Notre Dame and against Michigan... His time of 2:09.89 at Notre Dame was his season-best... Placed third in the 100 breast at the Northwestern Invitational (11/18)... Took first in the 100 breast (59.31) and 200 breast (2:11.85) against Ball State (12/9)... Placed third in the 100 breast (59.59) and 200 breast (2:11.15) versus Oakland (1/19)... Competed in five events at the Big Ten Championships, setting a personal best of 1:51.76 in the 200 IM. Freshman Season: Finished third in the 100 free (49.76) against Ball State Competed in the Big Ten Championships. High School : Four-year letterwinner in swimming and water polo... Named school s senior athlete of the year... Two-time CIFCCS finalist. Personal: Born July 17, 1986 in Santa Cruz, Calif.... Son of Mark and Mary Poteete... Sister, Anna, swims at UCLA... No-preference major. KEVIN PUSKARIC FRESHMAN BREASTSTROKE MOKENA, ILL. LINCOLN-WAY EAST AFTER POSTING A STRONG 2007 SEASON, HE IS ON HIS WAY TO MAKING AN IMPACT ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL IN THE BREAST- STROKE. High School: Earned three varsity letters at Lincoln-Way East for coach Paul Desruissaux... Placed second at state meet in 100 breast (56.65) as a senior... Won conference championship in 100 breast during junior season... Set school records in 200 and 500 free as a sophomore... Captained the team as a junior and senior... Also earned three varsity letters in water polo. Personal: Born Feb. 16, 1989 in Mokena, Ill.... Son of Howard and Linda Puskaric... Construction Management major. Michigan State Spartans 25

8 BRIAN ROCKWELL GARRETT RUHLAND FRESHMAN DISTANCE FREESTYLE HOUSTON, TEXAS MEMORIAL A VERY HARD WORKER AND A GREAT STUDENT, HE IS WHAT COACH GIANIODIS CALLS A TRUE SPARTAN. High School: Four-time letterwinner for coach Jason Mauss... Qualified for regional in all four years... Led team to a pair of district championships... Named Scholastic All-American by USA Swimming... Won Houston Cougar Aquatic Sports Iron Man Award twice... Named team MVP and served as team captain as a senior... Class valedictorian and National Honor Society honoree. Personal: Born Nov. 23, 1988 in Enid, Okla.... Son of Jim and Kathy Rockwell... Father played tennis at Michigan Tech... Had three cousins who competed in collegiate athletics, including one who played professional basketball in Australia... Mechanical engineering major. MARK ROGERS JUNIOR SPRINT FREESTYLE BEVERLY HILLS, MICH. GROVES A VETERAN SWIMMER WITH HIGH ACADEMIC HONORS, HE DEMON- STRATES A GREAT WORK ETHIC IN THE SPRINT FREESTYLE EVENTS. Sophomore Season: Competed in every dual meet... Scored in the 100 back versus Ball State (12/9)... Competed in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle events and the Big Ten Championships. Freshman Season: Took sixth place in the 100 free (49.07) and competed on the second-place 400 free relay team against Michigan (10/28), Finished second in the 50 free and took third in the 100 free (48.77) against St. Bonaventure (1/28). High School: Four-year letterwinner... Earned All-America accolades junior and senior year... Received all-state honors four times... Member of 2004 and 2005 state champion teams... Named academic all-state... Earned team MVP honors during senior year. Personal: Born Jan. 14, Son of Larry and Jo Ann Rogers... Mother was a swimmer at Oakland University... Computer engineering major and Honors college member. SOPHOMORE SPRINT FREESTYLE LAKE ORION, MICH. LAKE ORION THE TEAM S STRONGEST ATHLETE, MSU HOPES HIS ATHLETICISM TRANSLATES INTO A BIG SEASON IN THE POOL. Freshman Season: Scored in two dual meets... Clocked a time of to score in the season opener versus Iowa (10/28)... Placed fourth in the 100 fly (53.86) against Ball State (12/9)... Competed in the 50 and 100 free and the 100 fly at the Big Ten Championships. High School: Four-year letterwinner at Lake Orion under Paul Fairman Named team captain during senior season. Personal: Born April 20, 1988 in Bay City, Mich. Son of David and Gemma Ruhland Business major. ADAM SCHMITT SENIOR SPRINT FREESTYLE GRAND HAVEN, MICH. GRAND HAVEN THE TEAM S BEST SWIMMER, HE ENTERS THE FINAL YEAR OF WHAT HAS BEEN A GREAT CAREER AT MICHIGAN STATE. Junior Season: Voted team s Swimmer of the Year... Placed first in 200 free and 200 IM in season opener versus Iowa (10/28)... Won 100 free heat (45.52) at Notre Dame (11/10)... Took first in 50 and 100 free and 100 breast versus Princeton (11/11)... Posted season-best time of 1:52.87 in the 200 IM at the Northwestern Invite (11/18)... Won the 100 back (53.05) against Ball State (12/9)... Recorded season best 1:39.62 in the 200 free versus Purdue (1/13)... Placed first in the 50 and 100 free and 200 IM in season finale versus Oakland (1/19)... Placed 10th in the 200 free at the Big Ten Championship... Also competed in the 50 and 100 free and three freestyle relays at the league meet. Sophomore Season: Finished second in the 50 free (20.45) and 100 free (44.73) at the Big Ten Championships... Both performances were career bests Took first place (3:04.5) on the 400 free relay team and in the 200 free (1:40.61) at Notre Dame (1/21) Finished 15th in the 200 free (1:39.03) at the Big Ten Championships. Freshman Season: Earned team s Freshman of the Year Award... Member of the school-record 400-free relay (2:58.09) and the 400 medley relay (3:15.33) teams, as well as the 200-free relay team (1:20.71)... Took first place in the 100 free against Iowa (47.27), Western Kentucky (46.51), Ball State (59.98) and Indiana (46.36)... Took first place in the 100 breast against Ball State (59.98)... Earned 14th place in the 100 free (45.19) at the Big Ten Championships... Also placed 18th in the 50 free (20.55) at the Big Ten Championships. 26 Michigan State Spartans

9 High School: Two-time all-state and All-America selection... Lettered all four years in swimming... Won state championships in the 50 and 100 free as a senior... Holds MSHAA record times in the 50 and 100 free... Named Michigan High School Swimmer of the Year as a senior... Three-time allconference selection... Also lettered for three seasons in water polo. Personal: Born July 11, 1986 in Grand Haven, Mich.... Son of Daniel and Yvonne Schmitt... Brother, Joe, swims for Spartans... Criminal justice major. GABE STRICKLER SOPHOMORE BACKSTROKE/FREESTYLE MIDLAND, MICH. DOW JOE SCHMITT SOPHOMORE IM/BREASTSTROKE GRAND HAVEN, MICH. GRAND HAVEN AN IMPROVING SWIMMER, HE HAS SHOWN THE DESIRE TO CLIMB TO THE TOP OF THE BIG TEN. Freshman Season: Shared John Narcy Most Improved Swimmer Award with Marcus Poteete... Won the 100 free (21.97) in season opener against Iowa (10/28)... Placed first in the 200 IM (1:54.33) at Notre Dame (11/10)... Recorded second-place finish in the 100 breast (1:00.27) against Princeton (11/11)... Clocked season-best time of in the 100 breast and added second place effort in the 200 breast versus Ball State (12/9)... Placed third in the 100 free (46.82) against Oakland (1/19)... Competed in six events, including three relays at the Big Ten Championships. High School: Four-time letterwinner in swimming and three-time letterwinner in water polo at Grand Haven High School Academic All-America honoree in 2006 Earned all-conference, all-state, and All-America honors his last three years of high school All-conference and all-state in water polo. HAS IMPROVED EVERY DAY SINCE ENROLLING AT MSU, WILL BE COUNTED ON TO STEP INTO A LEADERSHIP ROLE THIS SEASON. Freshman Season: Opened season with first-place swim in the 100 back (52.34) and a second-place showing in the 200 back (1:55.87) against Iowa (10/28)... Placed second in the 100 back and third in the 200 back and 200 free versus Princeton (11/11)... Won the 200 free with a season-best 1:43.34 and placed third in the 200 back (1:57.43) against Ball State (12/9)... Placed third in the 100 and 200 back versus Purdue (1/13)... Swam to a third-place finish in the 100 back (52.73) in season finale against Oakland (1/19)... Competed in six events, including three relays, at the Big Ten Championships. High School: Four-year letterwinner at Dow for his coach and father, Gary Strickler Earned All-America status in 14 events... Two-time all-state honoree Garnered conference MVP honors in Named Dow s Senior Athlete of the Year Earned four varsity letters in soccer, claiming team MVP and all-conference accolades... Also lettered in track in 2006, claiming team MVP honors Swam for the Midland Barracudas club team. Personal: Born Oct. 2, 1988 in Midland, Mich. Son of Gary and Amy Strickler Brother, Greg, swam at Western Kentucky, and his other brother, Gary, swam and played water polo at Kalamazoo College Supply chain management major. Personal: Born May 9, 1988 in Grand Haven, Mich. Son of Daniel and Bonnie Schmitt Brother, Adam, also swims for MSU Telecommunications major. Sophomore Joe Schmitt was MSU s Most Improved Swimmer for the season. Michigan State Spartans 27

10 MATT TORRES JASON VADNEY SENIOR BUTTERFLY/IM MORTON GROVE, ILL. NILES WEST ONE OF THE TEAM S HARDEST WORKERS, COACH GIANIODIS EX- PECTS HIM TO HAVE A BIG SEASON IN THE IM EVENTS. Junior Season: Scored in the 1,000 free and 200 fly in season opener against Iowa (10/28)... Registered team points in the 200 fly at Notre Dame (11/10)... Placed fourth in the 1,000 free (9:46.88) and 200 fly (1:56.98) against Purdue (1/13)... Enjoyed best meet of season in finale versus Oakland on 1/19, placing third in the 200 fly and the 500 and 1,000 free... Competed in the 200 fly, 400 IM and the 500 free at the Big Ten Championships. Sophomore Season: Finished fourth in the 400 IM (4:12.62) against Michigan (10/28) Won the 1,000 free (9:55.65) while setting a career best against Ball State (12/10) Finished 20th in the 400 IM (4:05.12) at the Big Ten Championships. Freshman Season: Competed in multiple events... Finished a seasonhigh second place in the 200 breast (2:17.01) against Purdue (1/15)... Set seven career bests at the Big Ten Championships. High School: Four-year letterwinner... Set personal best times in the 500 free and 200 IM... Finished third in the state in the 500 free and seventh in the state in the 200 IM... Earned all-section honors in his senior year... Nominated for All-America honors as a senior... Named team captain and helped team finish with a No. 19 state ranking as a senior... Four-year varsity letterwinner. Personal: Born Nov. 8, 1986 in Chicago, Ill.... Son of Neftali and Vivian Torres... Cousin, Louis, is a former Northwestern swimmer... Packaging major. AFTER RECOVERING FROM TWO SHOULDER SURGERIES, HE HAS ES- TABLISHED HIMSELF AS A TRUE COMPETITOR AND TEAM LEADER. Junior Season: Opened the season with a first-place showing in the 100 fly against Iowa (10/28)... Notched a third-place finish in the 200 fly versus Princeton (11/11)... Posted season-best time of in the 100 free and added a second-place effort in the 100 breast (59.51) against Ball State (12/9)... Clocked season-best 1:55.59 in the 200 fly versus Purdue (1/13)... Registered season-best 100 fly time (50.86) in the season finale against Oakland (1/19)... Competed in six events, including three relays, at the Big Ten Championships : Medical Redshirt. REDSHIRT SENIOR FREESTYLE/BUTTERFLY TAYLOR MILL, KY. SCOTT Sophomore Season: Member of the school-record 400-free relay team (2:58.09)... Captured a first-place finish against Iowa (1:41.69) and Western Kentucky (1:41.28) in the 200 free... Placed second at the Miami Invitational in the 200 free (1:43.36)... Won the 500 free against Oakland, with a time of 4: Took ninth place in the Big Ten Championships after taking first in the consolation final (1:38.32) in the 200 free... Set a career best at the Big Ten Championships in the 200 free (1:38.18). Freshman Season: Named MSU Freshman of the Year... Finished eighth in the 500 free (4:28.88) and 12th place in the 200 free (1:38.55) at the Big Ten Championships... Posted a career-best time of in the 100 free at the Big Ten Championships. High School: U.S. Open qualifier in 200 and 400 freestyle... Qualified for 2003 Senior Nationals in 400 free Central Zone Sectional Champion in 200 and 400 free... Earned All-America and all-state honors in his junior and senior years... Swam to All-Region recognition in 2001, 2002 and Named team captain as a senior... Earned four varsity swimming letters... Also lettered in cross country and track. Personal: Born Feb. 16, 1985 in Lincoln, Neb.... Son of Mike and Emely Vadney... Advertising major. Senior Matt Torres is one of the team s leading butterfly swimmers. 28 Michigan State Spartans

11 MICHAEL VANBEEK L. COLBY WARD JUNIOR SPRINT FREESTYLE GROSSE POINTE SHORES, MICH. NORTH A GREAT STUDENT AND A TIRELESS WORKER, HE IS WHAT COACH GIANIODIS CALLS THE CONSUMMATE SPARTAN SWIMMER. Sophomore Season: Awarded John Munley Memorial Scholarship... Scored in three dual meets... Registered a team point in the 1,000 free in season opener versus Iowa (10/28)... Clocked a time of 4:52.07 en route to a third-place swim in the 500 free and added a fourth-place effort in the 1,000 free against Ball State (12/9)... Also scored in dual meet versus Purdue (1/13)... Competed in the 200, 500 and mile free at the Big Ten Championships. Freshman Season: Member of the 800 free relay that finished 15th (7:11.61) at the Ohio State Invitational (12/2) Took second in the 1,000 free (10:02.71) against St. Bonaventure (1/28). High School: Four-year letterwinner for coach Mike O Connor... Earned all-league honors all four years... Served as team captain during junior and senior seasons... Member of Pointe Aquatics club team. FRESHMAN BACKSTROKE/FREESTYLE ROCHESTER HILLS, MICH. ADAMS ENTERS FIRST COLLEGE SEASON FOLLOWING SOLID SUMMER OF TRANING, HE WILL BE A MAINSTAY IN THE TEAM S DISTANCE FREE- STYLE GROUP. High School: Two-time High School All-American and three-time all-state honoree under coach Tim Hickey... Competed in Junior Nationals as a junior and senior... Posted a 500 free time of 4:34 and clocked a 4:05 in the 400 IM during senior season... Recorded top times in the 1,000 free (9:23) and mile free (15:36) as a junior... Placed third at state meet in 500 free during sophomore season... Finished sixth in the state in the 500 free and placed second in the mile free at the USS State meet as a freshman... Named to National Honor Society and Academic All-State team. Personal: Born Oct. 29, 1988 in San Jose, Calif.... Son of Lawrence and Ginna Ward... Biology major. Personal: Born Nov. 16, 1986 in Grosse Pointe Shores, Mich.... Son of Robert and Natalie VanBeek... Criminal justice major. IVAN ZALESSOV SOPHOMORE DIVING OKEMOS, MICH. OKEMOS FOLLOWING A SOLID FRESHMAN CAMPAIGN, HE HAS IMPROVED TECHNIQUE AND INCREASED STRENGTH. Freshman Season: Notched five top-three finishes on each board... Placed first in three-meter diving (303.60) against Princeton and Michigan (11/11)... Posted season-high one-meter total (310.10) and best threemeter score (312.50) at the Northwestern Invite (11/18)... Placed third on both boards versus Ball State (12/9)... Registered a score of on three-meter board and a on the one-meter in the season finale against Oakland (1/19)... Placed 14th in platform diving, 15th in one-meter diving and 22nd on the three-meter board at the Big Ten Championships. High School: Earned two varsity letters at Okemos under coach Mike Wagner Earned All-America, all-state and all-conference honors as a junior and senior Placed second at the MHSAA State Meet his senior year. Personal: Born March 26, 1989 in Moscow, Russia Son of Valentin and Tatiana Zalessov Accounting major. Michigan State Spartans 29

12 MEN S NCAA QUALIFYING STANDARDS Short Course Yards Short Course Meters Long Course Meters EVENT A Standard B Standard A Standard B Standard A Standard B Standard 50 Free 100 Free 200 Free 500 Free Mile Free : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Breast 200 Breast : : : : : : : : : Fly 200 Fly : : : : : : Back 200 Back : : : : : : IM 400 IM 1: : : : : : : : : : : : FR 400 FR 800 FR 200 MR 400 MR 1: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : m Dual m Dual Platform : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Michigan State Spartans