2014-15 Swimming & Diving Preview: Distance Free

10/6/2014 7:54:00 PM | Swimming & Diving

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. – Bolstered by the arrival of several distance swimmers in the latest recruiting class, the Duke men and women will be aiming to have more of a presence in the events this season. Head coach Dan Colella previews what's ahead for the distance group.

2014 Postseason Results:
The women's 800-yard freestyle relay of Christine Wixted, Brittany Friese, Kiera Molloy and Liza Bragg broke the previous program record at the 2014 ACC Championship with a 7:19.70 clocking. Individually, Lindsay Schlichte posted a 15th-place finish in the 1,650 freestyle and placed 20th in the 500. On the men's side, Sam Sherman scored for the Blue Devils at the ACC meet with a 21st-place showing in the mile while Bradley Cline, Kaz Takabayashi, Peter Kropp and Michael Miller set a school record in the 800 freestyle relay at 6:34.65.

Key Returners:
Schlichte and Sherman will look to lead the distance group once again this year while fellow sophomore Brittany Friese also returns experience in the 200, 500 and the mile. Senior Clay Sanders has also been a leader in the 500 freestyle for the Duke men throughout his career.

Newcomers to Watch:
Colella and the Duke staff added depth on the men's side with the recruitment of freshmen Marco Hosfeld, Matt Johnson, Parker Pearson and Alex Peña. All four swimmers are expected to be contributors at the conference level. Rookie Verity Abel joins the women's team after capturing Connecticut state titles in the 200 and 500 freestyle and previously winning the 2012 Long Course YMCA national championship in the 1,500.

Colella's Take:
“Last year we had Sam Sherman – that was our men's distance swimmer. It's nice to have a whole group of young men that have come in. What they're going to do is add tremendous depth to our distance events.”

The Duke swimming and diving teams kick off dual meet competition Saturday, Oct. 11 at Pittsburgh.

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