SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The Skidmore College swimming and diving teams are eager to jump back in the water this season after an abbreviated 2020-21 season. The 2021-22 campaign kicks off on Friday, Oct. 22 at 4 p.m. at home in a dual meet versus St. Lawrence.
 
Both teams claimed victory over the Saints two years ago in the last meeting between the schools. The men have won the past five duals against St. Lawrence, while the women won for the first time in 2019 after an extensive history of incredibly close battles.   
 
"We're excited to open up our season against St. Lawrence," said Skidmore head coach Jill Greenleaf. "Our programs have a long history of close contests, and I expect this year's meet to be no different. While our men look to be at a depth advantage, I know there will be some great matchups in individual races. On the women's side, our team won the 2019 meet for the first time in my tenure here at Skidmore, so we're looking to build that streak."
 
The men's squad consists of three seniors: Marco Amantini, Ryan Cohen, and Nick Meconiates; eight juniors: Brian Borchard, Cyrus Cheung, David DeFronzo, Noah Fryou, Miles Herman, Ethan Hull, Bailey Morganlander, and Jing Wang Ou Yang; four sophomores: Devin Herbinger, Ian Hinkle, Alex Jefferson, and Minoru Liu; and nine freshmen: Ryan Delfico, Liam Keating, Jonah LeCompte, David Marcello, Will Quinn, Keegan Scharoun, Gavin Schiavi, Danny Schnitzer, and Nick Sodi.
 
The Skidmore men finished seventh at the most recent Liberty League Championships in 2020. Herman earned the Thoroughbreds' highest individual finish of the meet by placing sixth in the 1650 free. He is also the program record-holder in the 200 fly. Last season, Skidmore was narrowly defeated by Clarkson in a dual meet before showing well in a multi-team virtual event.
 
The women's team features seven seniors: Lila Campbell, Chloe Cummings, Brooke Edwards, Samantha Horowitz, Grace Howard, Gabby Makower, and Annie McDermott; six juniors: Lexi Benfante, Abbi Brown, Riley Correll, Lizzie Day, Anna Naggert, and Rachel Olson; four sophomores: April Cook, Molly Jordan, Elissa Miller, and Caroline Rogers; and four freshmen: Caroline Brown, Emily Czelusniak, Chloe Kim, and Sophia May.   
 
Olson enters the season with three individual program records all set at the 2020 Liberty League Championships: 100 breast, 200 breast, and 200 IM. She is also a member of the 200 medley relay team, along with Benfante and Edwards, that owns the school record. Edwards is also part of a 400 medley record-holding team. She also holds the record in the 100 fly. The women's squad defeated Clarkson in the dual meet back in March. Olson and Day won events to highlight the successful day for the Thoroughbreds in the virtual event.
 
With the season around the corner, there is a sense of excitement as the swimming and diving teams kick off the winter sports season at Skidmore. "It should be a fun first meet to open our season," Greenleaf said. "Our team is excited to race and rip some dives!"