University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Men's Swimming & Diving Season Preview
9/21/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
MINNEAPOLIS - Coming off of a successful campaign in 2015-16, the Gophers return to pool, hoping to build on their success in the upcoming season. Minnesota finished the 2015-16 season fourth at the Big Ten Championships, 20th at the NCAA Championships and 7-3 in dual meets.
"We took some steps in the right direction, head coach Kelly Kremer said. "This year we can continue to build off that."
The Gophers graduated six student-athletes, including key components such as diver Manny Pollard, but a lot of talent remains on the roster.
Kremer said fans can expect Bowe Becker, Matt Barnard, Paul Fair, Conner McHugh, Jakub Maly, John Bushman and Logan Redondo to make a significant impact in the pool. Redondo returns to the roster after taking the 2015-16 collegiate season off in order to train for the Olympic Trials.
The team's sole Big Ten champion, senior Barnard, returns to the diving well for the 2016-17 campaign. He had a successful 2015-16 season, winning the Big Ten title in 3-meter with a score of 427.55. Barnard notched several awards, including being named All-Big Ten and All-America.
Last season, McHugh set varsity records in the 100 breaststroke (52.89) and the 200 breaststroke (1:54.08), Maly set a record in the 200 IM (1:44.53), and Barnard set records in 3-meter (450/95) and platform diving (475.50).
At the Big Ten Championships, the Gophers had 14 student-athletes finish in the top-20 of their respective events. Eleven of those athletes will return to the 2016-17 roster. Minnesota went from qualifying no relays for NCAAs in 2014-15 to bringing four to the national meet last season, and all those swimmers are back for 2016-17.
During the 2016-17 campaign, the Maroon and Gold will have plenty of veteran leadership, as 15 seniors return to the roster.
"We have such incredible leadership," Kremer said. "The best way to lead is by example, and they do it."
The Gophers welcome 13 freshmen, including several who earned All-America honors. The team also welcomes Tuomas Pokkinen, who swam for Finland at two LEN European Championships.
"It's time to move, it's time to do something special," Kremer said. "We have a group of people that are looking at this and saying, 'It's time.'
"It's that anticipation of waiting for something great to happen. I can't wait to see what that means."
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Players Mentioned
