WEST CHESTER, Pa. - West Chester University has been the model for dominance in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference when it comes to men’s swimming & diving. The men have won 12 straight conference championships and look poised to make it a Baker’s Dozen in 2010-11.
Saturday, the Golden Rams open defense of their conference crown at home inside Graham Natatorium with a 1 p.m. meet against PSAC rival Shippensburg. Kutztown was scheduled to make it a tri-meet. However, the Golden Bears have pulled out of the meet.
West Chester returns five All-Americans, including four swimmers and one diver, from last year’s squad that placed ninth at nationals. The newcomers have been a great addition to the team, fitting in well and pushing the returning swimmers to improve.
“It’s hard to tell this early in the season,” head coach Jamie Rudisill commented about his team’s potential to repeat. “This is the time of year that you have to get them back into shape.”
Highlighting the group of returning all-stars is last year’s PSAC swimmer of the meet, Kenny McCormick. The local product from Henderson High School in West Chester was a two-time All-American in each individual medley and played a role on three All-American relay teams. McCormick holds the PSAC records in both the 200 and 400 IM.
“McCormick was the school’s male athlete of the year last year,” Rudisill said. “Obviously, he will be a big part of this team.”
Phil Luzny teams up with McCormick in the butterfly events. Both are strong swimmers, who will score points for the Golden Rams. Two upcoming freshmen in this event are Phil Letcavage and Evan DeaKyne. Both have been working hard this season and will add depth to the team.
Sophomore Tommy Rhoads is expected to improve upon a tremendous freshman campaign. He was an All-American in the 500 freestyle and an honorable mention in the 200 free. He also starred on two All-American relays and will score a lot of points for the Golden Rams this season. Freshman Tyler Adams will help as well.
In the breaststroke, Bud McClernan is a returning senior and all-conference performer. Freshman Pat Augustine looks like he will fit right into head coach Jamie Rudisill’s plans, coming off a runner-up Class AA state championship in high school last winter.
Four incoming freshman in the freestyle events should help West Chester replace some of its points lost to graduation. Connor Murphy and Scott Taylor both swim freestyle as well as the backstroke. Both are constantly pushing themselves. Tommy McMahon has a lot of potential to make it to nationals.
Also pushing to crack the top 18 is Rudisill’s son, J.J., who will compete in the IM. The younger Rudisill has shown a healthy work ethic with much potential.
“So far, I think everyone has treated (J.J.) the same as everybody else,” Rudisill said when asked about the pressures of having his son on the roster. “I think it’ll be neat. He will have to work to make that top 18, just like everybody else, though.”
In the sprint events, senior Josh Pauley is back to stabilize a developing area for the Golden Rams. Sophomore Michael Westley has also improved a great deal and should score some points for West Chester. The big addition comes from freshman Ryan Stahley, a Pennsylvania state champion a year ago, who is expected to make a big splash with the Golden Rams’ swimmers right away.
Kicking off their senior year in the backstroke are Matt Flanders, Brendan Magarity and Kevin Moyer. Sophomore Calvin Starosta is another sophomore, like Rhoads, who is coming off an excellent freshman campaign and who has raised the bar for this coming season.
DIVING
Long-time diving coach Dr. Ronn Jenkins is developing plenty of depth on each of the two boards. Senior Jon Brittain leads the group of returners, along with junior Ryan Kuser, who has made tremendous strides over the summer. Brittain was an honorable mention All-America a year ago off the 1-meter board, finishing 15th at nationals. Joining those two this year are freshmen John Abbott, Kurt Van Mil and Ben Moldoff. All have a great deal of potential and add depth to the diving team.
