BALTIMORE – The UMBC women's and men's swimming and diving squads open the 2023-24 schedule when they head to Washington, D.C. to take on American University on Saturday, Sept. 30 The September competition is believed to be the earliest in UMBC Swimming and Diving (1986) history.
WHEN LAST WE LEFT YOU: UMBC maintained its dominance in America East Conference men's swimming and diving. The Retrievers held off hard-charging Binghamton to win its second consecutive league title and the 14th in 16 conference campaigns in the four-day meet held at WPI in February of 2022.
Rising junior
Oliver Gassmann was named the 2023 Swimmer of the Meet. The Pennington, N.J. triumphed in the 100 and 200 butterfly events, but also stunned many by winning the 50 yard freestyle event.
The men amassed 137 points in the CSCAA National Invitational Meet and were paced by Nicusan, who accounted for 34 points, tied for 51st of 194 scoring swimmers. Nicusan earned bronze in the 100 individual medley, posting a mark of 48.72, the 15th fastest time in the nation this season and a school record. He also finished ninth in the 100 backstroke with a personal best time and 17th in the 200 individual medley.
Gassmann produced a pair of top-20 finishes, placing 16th in the 100 butterfly and 19 the 50 fly. Rising senior
Ryan Harding also placed in the top 20, touching in at 20th in the 50 backstroke.
Returners
Christian Coleman,
Max Casey-Bolanos and
Bode Neale also were key contributors to UMBC's efforts.
CAPTAINS: Head Coach
Matt Donovan has announced that seniors
Charles Bennici (Walkersville, Md.), and
Max Casey-Bolanos (Silver Spring, Md.) and junior
Christian Coleman (Lewisburg, Pa.) have been selected team captains for the 2023-24 men's swimming and diving program.
HEAD COACH MATT DONOVAN QUOTE ON PRE-SEASON: "Everyone knows about the success of the men's team and how great they have been over the years. I feel like (this year), they haven't missed a beat. The team has gelled really well. They are so many opportunities for guys to step up into different roles. It's been a lot of fun so far."
VERSUS AMERICAN; This will be UMBC's first meet versus American since 2003. The Retriever men won that meet, 126-102.
2023-24 AMERICA EAST CHAMPIONSHIPS: The post-season gets underway on February 14-17 when the men hope to defend their title and the women strive to re-capture the crown at the America East Swimming & Diving Championships. The championships move south to Lexington, Va. in 2024 as associate league member VMI hosts at the one-year old VMI Aquatic Center.
NEXT MEET: UMBC will open the home season on Saturday, Oct. 7 when they host La Salle on Parents' Weekend. The meet gets underway at noon.
