For the second consecutive year, the MWC men's swim team finished with just two losses and swam its way to the Capital Athletic Conference Championship. The Eagles, under two-time CAC Coach of the Year Matt Kinney, had a 7-2 season, but were just ten points away from finishing undefeated, as the only two losses on MWC's record came by 105-100 margins to Gettysburg College and the University of Richmond.
Once again, the team success was highlighted by several outstanding individual efforts. Tim Selgas, one several key graduating seniors that Kinney will try to replace this fall, finished his career as a three-time All-American in the butterfly, finishing in the top ten at nationals twice (in the 100 and 200) a year ago. Rising senior Chris Rice (Perry, NY) also earned All-American honors, a top-12 finish in the 200 butterfly and a top-16 finish in the 100 butterfly at nationals.
In addition to Selgas, MWC's first-ever male swimming All-American, Coach Kinney loses All-CAC performers Steve Smith, Scott Wagner, Todd Leatherman, Alex Inge, and Matt Nisley. Among the top returnees for MWC are Rice, seniors Billy Prout (all-CAC selection in freestyle), and Matt Anderson (Wilmington, DE), junior Ryan Forbrich (Camp Hill, PA) and the reigning Capital Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year, Mark Greenleaf (Waterville, ME), who finished in the top three in three different events at the conference championships.
Mary Washington's second consecutive conference title was just one of many memorable moments for the Eagle men, as they nearly defeated Gettysburg College and the University of Richmond and did manage a big win over rival Catholic University. With notable additions like Johns Hopkins and Washington & Lee to the already-strong competition the Eagles usually face every year, 1997-98 looks to be another exciting and challenging year for the MWC men.
"Topping this past season will be difficult, but with a solid group of returning upperclassmen and one of the strongest first-year groups ever, MWC should continue its ascent to national prominence," says MWC head coach Matt Kinney.