Nov. 10, 2005

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Harvard men's swimming and diving captains Bill Cocks and David Cromwell will be the first to tell you how hard the Crimson had to work last season to go undefeated in dual meets, claim its 10th conference championship in the last 13 years and finish 22nd at the NCAA Championships. And they are ready to lead Harvard to put in that effort again this season in order to stay on top.

"The hardest aspect of this season will be keeping everyone hungry," said Cromwell, a five-time All-American. "It's easier to do as a team when you lost the year before because you're out from the get-go to prove that last year was a fluke. The challenge this year will be to keep that same attitude instilled in every team member, at all times."

This year Harvard has to prove that some personnel losses from graduation and the potential for complacency after winning last year's title are not enough to move the Crimson from the top of the EISL heap. The team opens its season Saturday with a tri-meet against Cornell and Dartmouth at Simmons College.

"The team goal is always the same--to be undefeated--but the means change from year to year," said Cocks, a second team All-Ivy selection in the 100 breaststroke last season. "We understand that we have a new team and that what worked last year may not necessarily work this year. All I know is we have a good chance to repeat last year's success."

Plenty of things worked for the Crimson last season, and many of the key contributors are back. Harvard boasts a good mix of senior swimmers--Cocks and Cromwell say the whole class takes on the leadership role, not just the captains--and talented young athletes. Throw in the two of the league's top divers, and Harvard should be tough to beat once again.

"It's going to be a challenging season for us," said head coach Tim Murphy, who has lost just three dual meets in seven seasons at the helm of the Crimson. "We have some good leadership from the seniors, which will be instrumental to our success this year, and the entire team needs to raise its level of performance."

Cromwell, who earned All-America honorable mention in both the backstroke events and set a school record of 1:43.88 in the 200 back, is the most decorated returning swimmer. Do-it-all sophomore Geoff Rathgeber was Harvard's No. 2 backstroker last year, but his area of expertise is the individual medley. He won the 200 IM and placed third in the 400 at the 2005 EISL meet. Junior Jason Degnan-Rojeski was third on the team charts in the 100 back and fourth in the 200 back.

Cocks was seventh in the 200 IM at EISL's and placed in the top three in both breaststrokes. He will be counted on again for points in those events. Junior Joc Christiana was not far behind Cocks, placing fifth in the EISL 100 breaststroke and sixth in the 200. Rathgeber and junior Brian Fiske also made Harvard's breaststroke charts.

Sophomore Pat Quinn and senior Mark Knepley are the top returning short-distance freestylers. Quinn placed fifth in the 100, sixth in the 200 and 10th in the 50 free at the EISL Championships, while Knepley was seventh in the 100 and 200.

Harvard's distance swimmers, led by sophomore Sam Wollner, who finished in the EISL's top four at 500, 1000 and 1650 yards last year, will have the tough task of trying to make up for the loss of a nine-time All-American John Cole.

"We're lucky in that we have a deeper distance lane as a whole this year," Cromwell said. "Sam had a great summer, earning his first Olympic Trials qualifying time, and seniors Billy Gray and John Hastrup, along with freshman Eric Lynch, have the potential to push each other to do great things if they stay focused."

The Crimson also took a hit in the butterfly races, losing James Lawler, last year's EISL champion at both distances, to graduation. Cromwell finished just one spot behind Lawler in the 100 fly, while Degnan-Rojeski is Harvard's top returnee in the 200. Senior Stephen Norberg and junior Rich Goettke could be heard from in both races.

Few league teams can challenge Harvard in the diving events. Senior Danil Rybalko made the All-Ivy first team at one and three meters a year ago. He and sophomore Lucas Sanders will once again form a tough 1-2 punch.

Harvard dominated with its depth last year, earning All-America status in the 800 free and 400 medley relays and winning all five EISL relays. Cromwell and Rathgeber made up half of the All-America teams and will have help from All-Ivy swimmers like Christiana, Quinn and Wollner in the relays again this season.

Murphy says there is no definitive favorite in the league, but thanks to a talented roster and a senior class that wants to stay on top, look for Harvard to compete for yet another EISL crown in 2005-06.