The Lehigh men’s swim and dive team opened up their 2024-2025 season with two out of three wins.
The Mountain Hawks won their opener against Rider 155.5-138.5 and split their tri-meet in the Patriot League Opener against Colgate and Loyola on Nov. 2.
Junior Aaron Williams said he’s excited to start the season with these two wins.
“I think this showcases the hard work we have been putting in despite it being early in the season,” Williams said.
Williams competes in butterfly and freestyle. At the race against Rider, Williams earned second place in the 50-yard freestyle with a score of 21.39 seconds, and at the Patriot League opener, Williams earned first place with a time of 21.04 seconds.
Junior Ben Kisker also said the team is excited because one of their main goals coming into the year was to have a winning record.
“We have had a huge improvement and are really starting to turn the program in the right direction,” Kisker said.
Coach Robert Herb wrote in an email to The Brown and White that the momentum to start the season will help lead the team in the right direction throughout the year.
He wrote that he’s working with the rest of the coaching staff to create a plan focused on moving the team forward.
“Everyone is asking themselves, ‘What do I need to do to make this team better?’” Herb wrote.
He wrote that he’s confident motivation will lead to continued success, and Williams said continuous hard work and pushing one another is an important component of this.
“I believe we all just need to continue training hard and pushing each other in the right direction during practice and meets,” Williams said.
Senior Jack DeVilbiss swims butterfly at practice in Jacobs Pool on Oct. 31. The team beat Colgate 212-64 on Nov. 2. (Darcy Tucker/B&W Staff)
Herb said the team’s attitude and unity are some of the highlights of the season so far.
He said the mission of the team has been thinking as a unit and not being individually-focused.
The men’s swim and dive team gained 11 first-years this season, and Williams said the new additions have been great for the team in terms of attitude and motivation.
He said one of his favorite things in this new season has been watching his new first-year teammates. Specifically, he’s loved witnessing the growth of first-year Jack Deppe, who placed first in the 200-yard individual medley and helped the Mountain Hawks gain two first place wins in the opener.
“(The first-years) have brought a new energy to and have motivated a lot of the upperclassmen to swim faster,” Williams said.
The team has had a great new attitude, Kisker said, and during practices, he’s noticed the whole team is ready to train hard.
“I think the most important thing is to not only train hard, but also prioritize recovery after our workouts,” Williams said.
Williams said recovery is often overlooked when it comes to competing, but it’s vital to athletes’ success.
Kisker said the team is looking forward to the Rivalry match against Lafayette this month, and the date is circled on his calendar.
“We are focused on Le-Laf and looking forward to beating them for the 33rd year in a row,” Kisker said. “I’m also looking forward to watching people race hard and have fun while doing it.”
Herb said while the Le-Laf match won’t be easy this year, they’ve been working toward it since last year.
The Rivalry against Lafayette will take place on Nov. 22 in Easton, Pennsylvania.
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