Oct. 4, 2000

Youth is often not measured by end results, but rather by progress. One season ago, a young, inexperienced Wildcat team struggled through their dual-meet season. By the time the Big East Conference Championships rolled around, however, this same team displayed flashes of what they hope to someday become. Looking to help the Villanova men's swimming & diving team take that next step is first year head coach Rick Simpson.

"This team has the potential to turn out a number of top eight conference finalists," said Simpson. "We return several of our athletes that were very sound at last year's championships. All 16 student-athletes can be solid Big East contributors."

One of Villanova's greatest strengths this season may come in the distance freestyle events where freshmen James Wolcsynski and Ryan Costella will make an immediate impact. Fellow freshman Bryant Eadon will lend the Wildcats' depth in the distance free, adding to their strength in that area.

In the sprint freestyle, senior Duane Couture and sophomore Peter Klimas will anchor the 2000-01 team. Couture will co-captain the Villanova squad for a second straight season, while Klimas returns following an impressive freshman campaign one year ago. Junior Joe Chiarantona will add depth in the sprint free events.

"Obviously being elected a captain as a junior, Duane (Couture) possesses natural leadership qualities. He has taken the men's program to a new level as far as leadership," said Simpson. "Peter (Klimas) has really developed since his arrival. He stepped up to a whole different level towards the end of last season. Peter is a good example of an average high school swimmer who has turned himself into a Division I conference finalist through hard work."

Another athlete who had an outstanding freshman season is Justin Buland, who has the potential to be a finalist in the 100 and 200 yard breaststroke events throughout his career. Buland had a strong summer and will attempt to score even higher at this season's Big East Championships.

Joining Buland in the breaststroke events are junior Kevin Gall and sophomores Jared Rummel and Andrew Harbuck. With Gall, Rummell, and Harbuck backing up Buland in that area, it will make the breaststroke one of the Wildcats' stronger events in the coming year.

The men's diving program has made tremendous strides over the last few years thanks to the accolades of senior Brian Mulligan. Guiding the men's and women's diving programs in 2000-01 is new diving coach Gary Elder, who returns for his third stint with the Wildcats.

"Not only do we have a diver in Brian (Mulligan), but we have a very good diver," remarked Simpson. "He can be a top five Big East finalist in both the one-meter and three-meter events."

Villanova's lone competitor in the butterfly is sophomore Adam Walchak. Walchak just missed the conference finals in 2000, but should reach the finals of both the 100 and 200 this season.

"At this point, Adam (Walchak) has stepped into the number one position," said Simpson. "He has adjusted his training to be more productive in that area, and there is a great deal of potential there."

In the individual medley events, a strong three-man contingent of Couture, Buland and Harbuck will lead the way for Simpson and the `Cats. The I.M. appears to be an area where Villanova can score well at the conference tournament.

The one area of struggle for the Wildcats appears to be the backstroke. Without an experienced backstroker on the team, Villanova needs freshman Mark Prewitt to step in and contribute right away.

The Wildcats will have a number of options in the freestyle and medley relay events. Behind Couture, a freshmen class of four will lend tremendous versatility in the freestyle relay. In the medley events, Prewitt, Buland, Walchak, Harbuck and Klimas are the front-runners for the four spots.

Behind the strong leadership of senior co-captains Duane Couture and Brian Mulligan and a band of talented and youthful performers, it seems as if the toughest times are over for the men's swimming and diving team. First-year coach Rick Simpson enters the scene in 2000-01 to continue the Wildcats progression- a progression he hopes will better the Wildcats' eighth place Big East finish of one year ago.