To say that head coach Pat Skehan is optimistic about the prospects of the 2012-13 season for the University of La Verne swimming and diving team would be an understatement.
The Leopards kick off their season this weekend at the Bulldog Invitational in Riverside, which begins a season of great promise and expectations.
A revamped and fortified roster along with a stronger commitment and confidence of team members has Skehan believing the Leopards can move up in the standings of one of the strongest swim conferences in Division III. Indeed, the future appears to be very bright and more importantly, the future is now.
"We've more than doubled our squad size from last season," said Skehan, who enters the second season at the helm of both the men's and women's program. "Our returning athletes during the offseason have been great leaders which has resulted in a commitment to training during the summer and the early part of fall. As a team we are so much further ahead with our training and expectations. We're light years ahead of where we were a year ago."
Skehan also added that the newcomers have made the adjustment to the team's focused approach. "We're taking small steps, but we have so many more people taking those steps than in previous years," she said. "We're in a much better place and we're all excited for the upcoming season."
The fortfied roster allows Skehan much needed depth in several events and more flexibility to better compete in the conference dual meets. "We have more capable swimmers in more events so we have less holes to fill than we did last season."
Moreover, the Leopard head coach notes that there is more of a competitive spirit among the athletes and a stronger commitment to the team concept. "They definitely want to be challenged," she said. "It's all about a "we" attitude and philosophy and taking ownership."
The Leopards do return talent. The returnees include a pair of athletes poised to make an impact on the national scene.
On the men's side, junior Marc Okimura earned an NCAA "B" cut qualifying mark in the breaststroke last year and Skehan says to expect big things from him as he enters his junior campaign.
Among the Leopard women, sophomore Maddie Lovrensky enjoyed a successful freshman campaign a year ago, earning SCIAC crowns in both the 100 and 200 backstroke events, setting school records in both. Lovrensky also earned NCAA "B" cuts as a frosh and looks to improve upon her performances this season.
Others to watch include transfers Cody Yeo, Coleman Goode on the men's side along with Nicole Carlton and Sammi Shiomoto on the women's team. The quartet of athletes bring strong credentials to the Leopard program and each should make an immediate contribution in the pool. In addition, a solid freshman class includes diver Scott Mackay (younger brother of former Leopard Andrew Mackay), Felipe Avendano Vila, Homero Aguilar and Crystal Antuna.
The schedule includes key early season meets beginning with this weekend's Bulldog Invite. Additionally, the Leopards will take part in the Christmas Invitational (Nov. 30-Dec. 2), which serves as a final non-conference tune-up before the opening of SCIAC dual action which begins on December 9 when La Verne hosts Cal Lutheran.
The Leos also host conference meets on consecutive weekends against Caltech (Jan. 19) and against Redlands and Whittier (Jan. 26). The following week, La Verne takes on Chapman in the first-ever SCIAC meeting between the schools.
The 2013 SCIAC Championships will be held February 17-18.
It should be a season of excitement and anticipation for the Leopard swimming and diving program as it is primed to move upward in both the conference and national landscape. "We have a much better team identity this season and should reflect on the success of our team," Skehan added. "There is more optimism, more opportunity and a whole lot more team."
