October 11, 2011

WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Hopes are high as the Whitman College swim teams get ready to dive into a new season, even though veteran coach Jenn Blomme isn't quite sure how deep the waters might be.

"We are fortunate to have the strongest roster we've had in years," Blomme says. "More school records will fall, and we intend to make a stronger statement at the NCAA national championships than we ever have.  

Jenn Blomme

"At this time of year, there is always some uncertainty about what the strength and depth of the rest of the conference will look like, but we think we can surprise some of our competitors this winter."

Whitman swimmers part the waters for the first time this season on Saturday, when they host an early non-conference meet against College of Idaho. That competition starts at 2 p.m. in the Louise and Paul Harvey Pool at Baker Ferguson Fitness Center.

Following its annual Alumni Meet on Saturday, Oct. 22, Whitman gets its first look at NWC foes at the end of the month.

The annual NWC Sprint Pentathlon is set for Friday, Oct. 28, in Spokane. Teams then come to Whitman the next day for the NWC Relay Invitational.

"We're looking forward to those first conference meets with a lot of anticipation," Blomme says. "It will be exciting to get an early test against the rest of the conference."

Taken as a whole, the Whitman teams (men and women) have hovered among the best NWC swim programs in recent years.

"We lost six men and three women to graduation last spring, but we've essentially replaced those numbers with our first-year class," Blomme says.

The women's team, which missed a third-place finish at the NWC championships last season by a single point, returns most of its roster and should be no less competitive, Blomme says.

"We have a lot of talent returning on the women's side, and those swimmers are more focused and driven than ever," she notes.

The men's team also returns plenty of talent from a team that finished a strong third at the conference championships, and it also welcomes an elite crop of newcomers.

"Top to bottom, this could be the best men's team we've ever had," Blomme says.

"What is most awesome about our new swimmers, men and women, is that they are a great fit for our team dynamic and culture," she adds. "They are great swimmers, great teammates and great students. They are the complete package."

Whitman also starts its NWC dual meet schedule at home. It hosts Lewis & Clark on Friday, Nov. 11 (6 p.m.), and Pacific on Saturday, Nov. 12 (1 p.m.).

The remainder of the season builds toward the NWC Championships, set for Feb. 10-12 in Federal Way, Wash.

For a closer look at the Whitman women's 2011-12 swim team, please click here.

For more details about the Whitman men's swim team, please click here.

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CONTACT: Dave Holden
Sports Information Director
Whitman College, Walla Walla, Wash.
509 527-5902; holden@whitman.edu