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Photo by: Jim Rosvold/University of Minnes
Preview: Gophers Host Florida to Begin Season
10/8/2019 11:15:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
The Minnesota Swimming and Diving program is set to begin their 2019-20 campaign on Friday, Oct. 11 with a home dual against SEC foe Florida. Friday's season opener will also serve as Minnesota's Senior Meet, with all soon-to-be graduates being briefly honored before the start time of 6 p.m.
"I think coming right out of the gate at home against Florida, a real powerful team from the SEC on both sides, I like that for our team," said head coach Kelly Kremer. "We'll get a taste of really high level competition and we won't see Florida again until NCAAs. It's a nice team to start with."
Last season, the Gopher men and women each ended the year with top-20 teams in the NCAA, notching respective finishes of 19th and 11th in the nation.
The History
Women
The Minnesota women have not faced Florida since the 2015-16 season, when the two teams tied, 150-150. Prior to that, the Gophers and Gators squared off during the 2014-15 campaign, with the Maroon and Gold coming out on top, 183-117. Overall, Minnesota trails the all-time series, 1-2-1.
Men
Shifting to the men's side, there is quite a bit more history between the two programs. In seven meetings, the Gopher men are 1-6 against the Gators, most recently having dropped a 174.50-125.50 decision to then-ranked no. 1 Florida in 2015-16.
A Look at Florida
Women
The Gator women come into the 2019-20 season after a 24th place effort at last year's NCAA meet. Although Friday will mark the Gophers' first official action of the season, Florida has actually already competed three times this year, winning duals against FIU, Miami and FAU.
Individually, the Florida women return seven All-SEC members from 2018-19, including five All-Americans in senior backstroker/butterflyer/freestyler Sherridon Dressel, senior Kelly Fertel, senior freestyler Bella Garofalo, senior diver Brooke Madden and sophomore breaststroker Vanessa Pearl.
Men
After ending the year with a sixth place finish at the 2019 NCAA Championships, the Florida men enter Friday's dual on an even higher note. Through two early season competitions to begin the year, the Gator men also find themselves undefeated, going 2-0 via a tri dual against Nova Southeastern and Indian River, while besting FAU, 208-90.
Florida welcomes back eight All-SEC performers from the previous campaign, a total that is matched by the Gator men's' returning All-American representation.
A Look at the Gophers
Women
Heading into their first official meet of the season, the Gopher women are led by senior captains Tevyn Waddell and Madison Preiss. Waddell, who competes in the backstroke, butterfly and freestyle events, is also one of Minnesota's three returning All-Americans from a season ago. Senior breaststroker Lindsey Kozelsky and junior backstroker Emily Cook represent the other All-American returners, as the trio was part of a 400 medley relay team that notched a seventh place finish at the 2019 NCAA Championships. In addition, Kozelsky also received All-American honors in the 100 breaststroke in 2018-19.
As detailed in last week's season preview, backstroke and breaststroke appear to be an area of strength for the Gophers going into the Florida Dual. The freestyle events should entail much of the same, with the key being the development of certain underclassmen swimmers. As for the butterfly, Minnesota is going to need some additional help aside from Waddell, perhaps in the form of sophomores Bronwyn Tuff and Emma Linscott.
Those looking for breakout candidates in Friday's season opener should keep their eyes on sophomore freestyler Olivia Bloomer, freshman freestyler/backstroker Jordan McGinty and freshman freestyler Maggie Summit.
Men
Minnesota's men's team was also previewed in-depth last week, which discussed the return of All-Americans Max McHugh (sophomore breaststroker/freestyler), junior backstroker/butterflyer Tom Donker and senior butterflyer Tuomas Pokkinen. These three earned All-American Honorable Mention honors last season with a 10th place finish in the 400 medley relay at NCAAs. McHugh also garnered All-American honors in the 100 breast and 200 breast.
Entering the Florida Dual, Pokinnen and senior Matthew Thomas will anchor the butterfly position as the two captains on the men's 2019-20 team. Butterfly events will include a wealth of experience for the Gophers, while the backstroke also appears to be an area of strength with a healthy combination of upperclassmen and incoming talent. The Gophers look equally well-off in the breaststroke events, as McHugh should be more than capable of keeping pace with a talented Gator group. Lastly, the freestyle appears to be in good health for the Minnesota men as well.
On Friday, there could be several names that make a big impact and begin to emerge as major contributors on the men's side. Freshman sprint freestyler Shane Rozeboom and freshman backstroker Gavin Olsen performed admirably in the team's pre-season intrasquad. Both newcomers will look to provide immediate support against a powerful Florida team. Kremer also tabbed junior freestylers Tim Sates and Cameron Kelley as breakout candidates for 2019-20.
"I think coming right out of the gate at home against Florida, a real powerful team from the SEC on both sides, I like that for our team," said head coach Kelly Kremer. "We'll get a taste of really high level competition and we won't see Florida again until NCAAs. It's a nice team to start with."
Last season, the Gopher men and women each ended the year with top-20 teams in the NCAA, notching respective finishes of 19th and 11th in the nation.
The History
Women
The Minnesota women have not faced Florida since the 2015-16 season, when the two teams tied, 150-150. Prior to that, the Gophers and Gators squared off during the 2014-15 campaign, with the Maroon and Gold coming out on top, 183-117. Overall, Minnesota trails the all-time series, 1-2-1.
Men
Shifting to the men's side, there is quite a bit more history between the two programs. In seven meetings, the Gopher men are 1-6 against the Gators, most recently having dropped a 174.50-125.50 decision to then-ranked no. 1 Florida in 2015-16.
A Look at Florida
Women
The Gator women come into the 2019-20 season after a 24th place effort at last year's NCAA meet. Although Friday will mark the Gophers' first official action of the season, Florida has actually already competed three times this year, winning duals against FIU, Miami and FAU.
Individually, the Florida women return seven All-SEC members from 2018-19, including five All-Americans in senior backstroker/butterflyer/freestyler Sherridon Dressel, senior Kelly Fertel, senior freestyler Bella Garofalo, senior diver Brooke Madden and sophomore breaststroker Vanessa Pearl.
Men
After ending the year with a sixth place finish at the 2019 NCAA Championships, the Florida men enter Friday's dual on an even higher note. Through two early season competitions to begin the year, the Gator men also find themselves undefeated, going 2-0 via a tri dual against Nova Southeastern and Indian River, while besting FAU, 208-90.
Florida welcomes back eight All-SEC performers from the previous campaign, a total that is matched by the Gator men's' returning All-American representation.
A Look at the Gophers
Women
Heading into their first official meet of the season, the Gopher women are led by senior captains Tevyn Waddell and Madison Preiss. Waddell, who competes in the backstroke, butterfly and freestyle events, is also one of Minnesota's three returning All-Americans from a season ago. Senior breaststroker Lindsey Kozelsky and junior backstroker Emily Cook represent the other All-American returners, as the trio was part of a 400 medley relay team that notched a seventh place finish at the 2019 NCAA Championships. In addition, Kozelsky also received All-American honors in the 100 breaststroke in 2018-19.
As detailed in last week's season preview, backstroke and breaststroke appear to be an area of strength for the Gophers going into the Florida Dual. The freestyle events should entail much of the same, with the key being the development of certain underclassmen swimmers. As for the butterfly, Minnesota is going to need some additional help aside from Waddell, perhaps in the form of sophomores Bronwyn Tuff and Emma Linscott.
Those looking for breakout candidates in Friday's season opener should keep their eyes on sophomore freestyler Olivia Bloomer, freshman freestyler/backstroker Jordan McGinty and freshman freestyler Maggie Summit.
Men
Minnesota's men's team was also previewed in-depth last week, which discussed the return of All-Americans Max McHugh (sophomore breaststroker/freestyler), junior backstroker/butterflyer Tom Donker and senior butterflyer Tuomas Pokkinen. These three earned All-American Honorable Mention honors last season with a 10th place finish in the 400 medley relay at NCAAs. McHugh also garnered All-American honors in the 100 breast and 200 breast.
Entering the Florida Dual, Pokinnen and senior Matthew Thomas will anchor the butterfly position as the two captains on the men's 2019-20 team. Butterfly events will include a wealth of experience for the Gophers, while the backstroke also appears to be an area of strength with a healthy combination of upperclassmen and incoming talent. The Gophers look equally well-off in the breaststroke events, as McHugh should be more than capable of keeping pace with a talented Gator group. Lastly, the freestyle appears to be in good health for the Minnesota men as well.
On Friday, there could be several names that make a big impact and begin to emerge as major contributors on the men's side. Freshman sprint freestyler Shane Rozeboom and freshman backstroker Gavin Olsen performed admirably in the team's pre-season intrasquad. Both newcomers will look to provide immediate support against a powerful Florida team. Kremer also tabbed junior freestylers Tim Sates and Cameron Kelley as breakout candidates for 2019-20.
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