Teams: Men's Swimming & Diving: Press Releases

February 24, 2005

JUMBOS LOOK FOR TOP FINISH AT NESCAC CHAMPIONSHIPS

MEDFORD -- The Tufts University men's swimming & diving team competes its in first New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) championships under interim head coach Adam Hoyt. The meet, to be held at Wesleyan University on Friday through Sunday (Feb. 25-27), looks to be closely contested with teams from Amherst, Middlebury, Hamilton, Tufts and Williams competing for the top spots.

"We have worked hard all year and the guys are definitely ready to go," Hoyt said. "I think that across the board there will be some great performances and I think that the junior and senior classes will lead the way."

Of the 24-member Tufts team competing at the NESCAC meet, 12 are returning athletes who were part of last year's team and 12 are new to the experience. This is the fifth conference championship meet. Prior to that, the team competed at the New England Division III championships. The Jumbos were third at last year's NESCACs, third in 2003, fourth in 2002 and fifth in 2001.

Senior tri-captain Mike Rochette (Cumberland, RI) is the highest ranked Jumbo entering the meet. His time of 27.62 seconds in the 50 breaststroke is second-best in NESCAC behind the 27.47 posted by Middlebury College's Tim Lux.

Several other Jumbos have the talent to be among the top finishers in their events. Junior Brett Baker (Englewood, CO) and sophomore Greg Bettencourt (West Granby, CT) are the top Jumbo freestylers. They have two of the five times in the conference for the 200 this season, with Baker's 1:45.54 and Bettencourt's 1:46.51. Bettencourt is good bet to reach the finals in the 500, in which his 4:49.90 seed time is fourth in NESCAC. Baker's season-best time of 47.89 seconds in the 100 freestyle ranks eighth in the conference entering the championships. Bettencourt also has top-eight potential in the 100 butterfly, where his time of 53.32 seconds is eighth in the league.

Senior tri-captain Seth Baron (Dallas, TX) and junior Jason Kapit (Garrett Park, MD) look to be the team's top scorers in the butterfly and individual medley events. Baron has NESCAC's fourth-best time in the 200 butterfly (1:57.55) entering the meet, along with a 4:20.60 that is eighth ranked in the 400 IM. Kapit is among the league's top eight in three events: fourth in the 400 IM (4:16.80), sixth in the 200 fly (1:58.44) and seventh in the 200 IM (2:01.07).

Junior Jon Godsey (Dallas, TX) is the Tufts leader in the backstroke events. He enters the meet as the fifth seed in the 50 with a best time of 25.27 seconds this season. His 100 time of 54.84 seconds is seventh in NESCAC. Sophomore Justin Fanning (Concord, MA) has a time of 25.84 seconds in the 50 that is eighth overall.

Junior diver Todd Putnam (Andover, MA) is in the mix for both the 1- and 3-meter competitions. In the relays, the 800 freestyle group is seeded second with their 7:08.99 time.

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