Get to Know Your Opponent: Ithaca

Last Year’s Result: Men win 160-140, Women Lose 183-111

Last Year's Results: 

http://www.rpiathletics.com/sports/2013/10/26/MSWIM_1026130734.aspx?id=3579

Ithaca’s First Meet Results: http://athletics.ithaca.edu/documents/2014/10/18//mm5results1coldefaultcumsub.pdf

Top Point Scorer at RPI/Ithaca last year: Colin Lenhoff: 18. Kathleen Bolton/Siena Sara: 13

Top Point Scorer at Ithaca/RPI last year: Clement Towner/Lucas Zelehowsky: 18. Grace Ayer: 18

Record Against Ithaca in the Past Five Years: 1-4, 0-5

Fun Fact: Ithaca is the meet where freshmen tend to break out. Each year a freshman (or two) has picked up individual wins against Ithaca: Richard Dong and Matt Schlehr (last year), Brian Polo (two years ago), and Mike Rizzo (three years ago).

Event to Watch: 200 Breaststroke. James Bowe and Matt Schlehr had the race of the meet last year, finishing at 2:13s each. With both swimmers returning, it should be another great race.

Key Swimmers Lost from Ithaca: Taylor Van Cott, Zack Kundel, Peter Knight, Connor White. That’s two of their best sprinters in Zack and Peter, butterflyer Taylor, and backstroker Connor, plus others missing is a huge loss for Ithaca.

Diving: Matt Morrison is good but he’s their only men’s diver. The women’s team has a few freshmen divers but they didn't fair very well last week.

Incoming Freshmen: As per Ithaca’s roster, the men’s team has four freshmen, two breaststrokers, an IMer, and a butterflyer. Leading their freshman class is Aidan Hartswick, breaststroker, with a best time of 1:00 (already went a 1:01.0 at the first dual meet) and 2:15. For the women, Nilza Costa is a strong distance swimmer (5:25 and 11:09 in the first dual meet).

Description: Despite all the losses to graduation, Ithaca is still a very strong team. After last year’s shocking loss to RPI on the men's side, I wouldn't count on them taking us lightly.