Frogs Poised For Championship Run in 2009-10
9/30/2009 12:00:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
Sept. 30, 2009
Head coach Richard Sybesma returns three TCU record holders on the men's side and momentum from a strong spring season in 2009. After sputtering to a slow start, the Frogs dominated their final three meets and finished fifth at the Mountain West Conference Championships.
"In the men's program, we are pretty solid in our quality of talent to our depth," Sybesma said. "If we can get everyone to mesh together, we are going to look pretty good."
Starting with seniors Josh Bagby and Ben Biefnes, this TCU team will look to rebound after suffering their first losing season in 10 years.
"Bagby and Biefnes are our seniors and I feel good about the leadership from both of those guys."
FREESTYLE
Bagby will lead the sprinters for TCU. The senior from Houston holds the top returning times in the 50- and 100-free for the Frogs. He set the program record time in the 100-free (44.06) at the Austin Grand Prix and has been a mainstay on the Horned Frog relay squads since he walked on campus.
"Bagby is a school record holder and he's obviously our top performer and one of our hardest workers," Sybesma said. "He's got the opportunity to have a phenomenal senior year, in and out of the water, because he's going to be a leader."
Joining Bagby in sprints will be Laszlo Gyurko, Ben Iannacone, Andrew Moore and newcomer Devin Price. Gyurko and Iannacone both saw time in the water a year ago and will look to be major contributors for TCU. Gyurko himself launched onto the collegiate scene in his freshman season after joining the roster in January, recording TCU's fastest 200-free clocking (1:38.58), while placing in the top-three in the 50- and 100-free.
"Laszlo was a big boost to our freestyle depth last season," Sybesma said. "We really need him to be that same spark this season."
Expect to also see Dan Bodin, Rourke Barrett, Lance Cline and freshman Ross Van Allen to compete for mid-distance spots in Sybesma's lineup.
In the distance events, the junior class duo of Trevor Woods and Mike Majek both return for the Frogs, looking to improve on their promising sophomore campaigns. Cline and freshman Chris Giesen could also see some freestyle reps for TCU.
BUTTERFLY
Headlining the butterfly unit for TCU will be sophomore Friedrich Grott. The Potsdam, Germany product made his mark on the Frogs' record book after joining the club in last January, smashing former Frog Dave Weintraub and All-American Walter Soza's program benchmarks in the 100- (47.99) and 200-fly (1:46.34), respectively.
"Friedrich is another one of those difference makers that can be one of the best in the Mountain West Conference," Sybesama said. "He joined the team just in time to break two records at the Championships and I'm looking forward to having him for the full year this season."
Also returning to the mix are juniors Edgar Peyro and Garret Weaver and 2008-09 TCU Freshman of the Year Scott Smidlein.
BREASTSTROKE
Biefnes will offer leadership and depth to a stacked list of breaststrokers for TCU. Peyro returns with the top times in both events, while the Frogs also welcome 2008 Beijing Olympian Edgar Crespo and junior college transfer Andy Garcias-Montes into the water.
Crespo, a Panama City, Panama native, topped five other swimmers in Beijing to turn in the top time of the second heat of the men's 100-breaststroke with a then personal-best time of 1:03.72. Garcia-Montes is a seven-time NJCAA All-American and three-time national champion from Indian River State College in Fort Pierce, Fla.
"We will put some pressure on other MWC schools this season in the breaststroke," Sybesma said. "Our men look good and I'm really impressed with the work they have put in to get ready for this season."
BACKSTROKE
Junior Jeff Gettel returns to continue TCU's dominance in the backstroke events. Gettel went undefeated in the 200-back against the MWC last season while placing third on the squad in wins with a dozen victories.
"Jeff Gettel had a good summer and he's going to be a difference maker."
Gyurko, TCU's top returner in the 100-back, along with Weaver and newcomers Price and Nelson Head, are also top backstroke contenders and will challenge for relay positions.
INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY
Biefnes, Grott and Peyro will also be looked to in the individual medley events this season. Grott, an All-MWC selection in the 200-IM, returns with TCU's times in the 200- and 400-IM, followed closely by Peyro and Biefnes.
"We've got some good, solid swimmers that will put the Frogs' where we need to be in the individual medley," Sybesma said. "This is the event where our most versatile swimmers need to step up."
Cline, Garcias-Montes and Crespo will also get a taste of the individual medley, adding depth, speed and consistency for TCU.
DIVING
With the departure of two-time MWC champion and Horned Frog three-meter springboard record holder R.J. Hesselberg last season, Kyle Callens will take over the reigns as TCU's lone male diver. The Deer Park, Texas native is no slouch himself, garnering the Frogs' one-meter benchmark (341.62) in 2009.
"Kyle is going to be our only men's diver, but we know that in any meet that we go into, we will be competitive in the diving events," Sybesma said.
The 2009 All-MWC selection in the one- and three-meter springboard garnered the silver medal, behind Hesselberg, from the higher dive at the MWC Championships last season, while also excelling in the classroom as a All-MWC Scholar-Athlete honoree.
Players Mentioned
