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Photo by: Jim Rosvold/University of Minnes
Gopher Men’s Swimming and Diving 2019-20 Preview
10/3/2019 12:20:00 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving
As Minnesota Swimming and Diving's season opener on Oct. 11 draws near, we shift our focus to previewing the 2019-20 Gopher men's team. After a year that saw five Minnesota swimmers receive some degree of All-American honors, head coach Kelly Kremer and his Gophers are ready improve upon their top-20 national finish with the help of several key upperclassmen and a promising incoming class.
2018-19 Recap
Last season, the Minnesota men's team concluded their year with a 19th place finish at the NCAA Championships after coming in fifth at the Big Ten Championships. Although dual Big Ten Champion and 2018-19 All-American (50 free, 100 free) Bowe Becker departs via graduation, the Gophers still return three swimmers that received All-American honors from a season ago: sophomore breaststroker/freestyler Max McHugh, junior backstroker/butterflyer Tom Donker and senior butterflyer Tuomas Pokkinen.
"On the men's side, we swam and dove about as well as we could at NCAAs last year," said Kremer. "We probably just didn't have enough firepower at the meet, but the firepower we did have was really good. 19th is not where we want to be, but I hope and have expectations of finishing better than that at NCAAs this year."
Along with Becker, the aforementioned trio swam their way to a 10th place finish at NCAAs in the 400 medley relay in 2019, also setting a school record with a time of 3:04.70. In addition to All-American Honorable Mention status in this event, McHugh also garnered All-American accolades in the 100 breast (third in NCAA) and 200 breast (second in NCAA), notching program records in each in the process.
Donker, McHugh and Pokkinen all represent 2019 NCAA National Team members, as do the likes of senior diver Jeremy Moser, senior butterflyer Matthew Thomas and junior breaststroker Eitan Yudashkin. Of this core group of Gophers, Pokkinen, Thomas and Moser will serve as captains throughout the season ahead.
"I'm really proud of our captains. They've done a really nice job of embracing some pretty simple core values, like appreciation and gratitude," said Kremer. "They've really done a nice job of teaching our team how we do things and going about things the right way."
Moser comes as the most experienced Minnesota diver this season. The men's team will need to replace the production of Nick Yang, who graduated after receiving All-American Honorable Mention honors in the platform dive in 2018-19.
Roster Breakdown
Although last year may have been a different story, backstroke appears to be an area of strength for the Gophers heading into 2019-20. Many upperclassmen have exhibited signs of growth in the event, including juniors Cale Berkoff, Will Brenton and Donker, as well as senior Nick Saulnier. With this group already in hand, incoming freshmen Gavin Olson, Sam Kennedy and Desmon Sachtjen will round out a team of backstrokers that may be in store for a quick turnaround. In particular, Olsen performed exceedingly well at the team's Sept. 27 intrasquad meet.
"Backstroke went from a weakness to a strength," said Kremer. "From the development of the men that are already on the team to our newcomers, like Gavin Olsen, Sam Kennedy and Desmon Sachtjen, we suddenly recruited a bunch of guys that can kick underwater. Backstroke is going to be a real strength."
The same will likely hold true for the breaststroke, as the Gophers possess arguably the nation's best in the event in McHugh. After finishing within the top-three in the nation in both the 100 breast and 200 breast in 2018-19, McHugh will lead the charge for a deep collection of Gopher breaststrokers that includes the likes of Yudashkin and junior transfer Aedan Lewis. Minnesota will also enjoy depth from returners Evan Yoder and Nic Chromey.
"When you return the best breaststroker in the country in both the 100 and 200 in Max McHugh, breaststroke is going to be a strength," said Kremer.
As for butterfly, the Gophers feature a wealth of experience and leadership. Team captains Thomas and Pokkinen will both be embarking on their senior campaigns and are coming off strong 2018-19 seasons. Donker also figures to be a major factor in butterfly events, having performed well in both the backstroke and fly last season. Incoming freshman Isaac Barrera, a native of New Braunfels, Tex., rounds out an arsenal of butterflyers that should be in store for a big year.
"Two butterflyers that are seniors, Matt Thomas and Tuomas [Pokkinen], that's a pretty darn good start for an awesome fly group," said Kremer.
From the 50 on up, Minnesota should be in good shape in the freestyle as well. Junior Cameron Kelley is a clear-cut breakout candidate after turning in an exceptional summer. Even though Kelley's 2018-19 season was nothing to scoff at, Kremer believes Gopher fans are going to see the junior take his swimming to the next level in 2019-20.
"He had an awesome summer, built a ton of confidence and I think we're going to see a completely different Cam Kelley," said Kremer. "He had a good year last year, but I think you're going to see a different level of swimming from him."
As for the remainder of the freestyle position, Saulnier and junior Tim Sates are ready to provide major contributions for the Gophers. Another name to keep an eye on will be freshman sprint freestyler Shane Rozeboom, who comes into the season poised for a noteworthy debut campaign.
In the diving well, Moser will head a mixed group of returners and newcomers. Juniors Duncan Lester and Maxim Royzen are the upperclassmen of the bunch, with sophomores Ryan Phillip and Aiden Werner aiming to build upon their freshmen seasons. The two new additions to the diving ranks are freshmen Jake Butler and Johnny Mindt.
2019-20 Schedule
In just over one week, the Gophers will compete in their first meet of the season as they play host to the Florida Gators on Friday, Oct. 11 at 6pm. The team's first road meet will come the following weekend in the form of a trip to Florida State on Oct. 11.
"Going down to Florida State, it's a perfect first travel trip," said Kremer. "You have to go on the road to unfamiliar conditions and I just like that test and that challenge early."
As for the 2019-20 Big Ten Conference slate, the Gophers will host Wisconsin (Nov. 8), before traveling to Iowa (Oct. 26) and West Lafayette, Ind. for a tri-dual against Purdue and Northwestern (Jan. 31-Feb. 1). The Gophers will also host the Minnesota Invitational from Dec. 4-8 and attend the Michigan First Chance Invitational from Feb. 15-16.
"The Big Ten Conference schedule is always awesome," said Kremer. "With Wisconsin, Iowa, Purdue and Northwestern, we've got plenty of opportunities to test ourselves."
As for the remaining nonconference schedule, Minnesota is set to face off on the road against Hawaii (Jan. 11) and USC (Jan. 17), while also traveling to the University of Tennessee Diving Invite (Jan. 3-5).
The 2020 Big Ten Championships will take place from Feb. 26-29, with NCAA Championships following suit roughly a month later from Mar. 25-28. NCAA Diving Zones will be held from Mar. 9-11.
2018-19 Recap
Last season, the Minnesota men's team concluded their year with a 19th place finish at the NCAA Championships after coming in fifth at the Big Ten Championships. Although dual Big Ten Champion and 2018-19 All-American (50 free, 100 free) Bowe Becker departs via graduation, the Gophers still return three swimmers that received All-American honors from a season ago: sophomore breaststroker/freestyler Max McHugh, junior backstroker/butterflyer Tom Donker and senior butterflyer Tuomas Pokkinen.
"On the men's side, we swam and dove about as well as we could at NCAAs last year," said Kremer. "We probably just didn't have enough firepower at the meet, but the firepower we did have was really good. 19th is not where we want to be, but I hope and have expectations of finishing better than that at NCAAs this year."
Along with Becker, the aforementioned trio swam their way to a 10th place finish at NCAAs in the 400 medley relay in 2019, also setting a school record with a time of 3:04.70. In addition to All-American Honorable Mention status in this event, McHugh also garnered All-American accolades in the 100 breast (third in NCAA) and 200 breast (second in NCAA), notching program records in each in the process.
Donker, McHugh and Pokkinen all represent 2019 NCAA National Team members, as do the likes of senior diver Jeremy Moser, senior butterflyer Matthew Thomas and junior breaststroker Eitan Yudashkin. Of this core group of Gophers, Pokkinen, Thomas and Moser will serve as captains throughout the season ahead.
"I'm really proud of our captains. They've done a really nice job of embracing some pretty simple core values, like appreciation and gratitude," said Kremer. "They've really done a nice job of teaching our team how we do things and going about things the right way."
Moser comes as the most experienced Minnesota diver this season. The men's team will need to replace the production of Nick Yang, who graduated after receiving All-American Honorable Mention honors in the platform dive in 2018-19.
Roster Breakdown
Although last year may have been a different story, backstroke appears to be an area of strength for the Gophers heading into 2019-20. Many upperclassmen have exhibited signs of growth in the event, including juniors Cale Berkoff, Will Brenton and Donker, as well as senior Nick Saulnier. With this group already in hand, incoming freshmen Gavin Olson, Sam Kennedy and Desmon Sachtjen will round out a team of backstrokers that may be in store for a quick turnaround. In particular, Olsen performed exceedingly well at the team's Sept. 27 intrasquad meet.
"Backstroke went from a weakness to a strength," said Kremer. "From the development of the men that are already on the team to our newcomers, like Gavin Olsen, Sam Kennedy and Desmon Sachtjen, we suddenly recruited a bunch of guys that can kick underwater. Backstroke is going to be a real strength."
The same will likely hold true for the breaststroke, as the Gophers possess arguably the nation's best in the event in McHugh. After finishing within the top-three in the nation in both the 100 breast and 200 breast in 2018-19, McHugh will lead the charge for a deep collection of Gopher breaststrokers that includes the likes of Yudashkin and junior transfer Aedan Lewis. Minnesota will also enjoy depth from returners Evan Yoder and Nic Chromey.
"When you return the best breaststroker in the country in both the 100 and 200 in Max McHugh, breaststroke is going to be a strength," said Kremer.
As for butterfly, the Gophers feature a wealth of experience and leadership. Team captains Thomas and Pokkinen will both be embarking on their senior campaigns and are coming off strong 2018-19 seasons. Donker also figures to be a major factor in butterfly events, having performed well in both the backstroke and fly last season. Incoming freshman Isaac Barrera, a native of New Braunfels, Tex., rounds out an arsenal of butterflyers that should be in store for a big year.
"Two butterflyers that are seniors, Matt Thomas and Tuomas [Pokkinen], that's a pretty darn good start for an awesome fly group," said Kremer.
From the 50 on up, Minnesota should be in good shape in the freestyle as well. Junior Cameron Kelley is a clear-cut breakout candidate after turning in an exceptional summer. Even though Kelley's 2018-19 season was nothing to scoff at, Kremer believes Gopher fans are going to see the junior take his swimming to the next level in 2019-20.
"He had an awesome summer, built a ton of confidence and I think we're going to see a completely different Cam Kelley," said Kremer. "He had a good year last year, but I think you're going to see a different level of swimming from him."
As for the remainder of the freestyle position, Saulnier and junior Tim Sates are ready to provide major contributions for the Gophers. Another name to keep an eye on will be freshman sprint freestyler Shane Rozeboom, who comes into the season poised for a noteworthy debut campaign.
In the diving well, Moser will head a mixed group of returners and newcomers. Juniors Duncan Lester and Maxim Royzen are the upperclassmen of the bunch, with sophomores Ryan Phillip and Aiden Werner aiming to build upon their freshmen seasons. The two new additions to the diving ranks are freshmen Jake Butler and Johnny Mindt.
2019-20 Schedule
In just over one week, the Gophers will compete in their first meet of the season as they play host to the Florida Gators on Friday, Oct. 11 at 6pm. The team's first road meet will come the following weekend in the form of a trip to Florida State on Oct. 11.
"Going down to Florida State, it's a perfect first travel trip," said Kremer. "You have to go on the road to unfamiliar conditions and I just like that test and that challenge early."
As for the 2019-20 Big Ten Conference slate, the Gophers will host Wisconsin (Nov. 8), before traveling to Iowa (Oct. 26) and West Lafayette, Ind. for a tri-dual against Purdue and Northwestern (Jan. 31-Feb. 1). The Gophers will also host the Minnesota Invitational from Dec. 4-8 and attend the Michigan First Chance Invitational from Feb. 15-16.
"The Big Ten Conference schedule is always awesome," said Kremer. "With Wisconsin, Iowa, Purdue and Northwestern, we've got plenty of opportunities to test ourselves."
As for the remaining nonconference schedule, Minnesota is set to face off on the road against Hawaii (Jan. 11) and USC (Jan. 17), while also traveling to the University of Tennessee Diving Invite (Jan. 3-5).
The 2020 Big Ten Championships will take place from Feb. 26-29, with NCAA Championships following suit roughly a month later from Mar. 25-28. NCAA Diving Zones will be held from Mar. 9-11.
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