PITMAN --- In a nearly split vote, TCNJ picked up three of the five possible first-place votes to be predicted as the 2022-23 NJAC Men’s Swimming & Diving preseason favorites to win this year’s conference title. Defending champion Rowan picked up the other two first-place votes in the preseason poll, conducted among the league’s five head coaches.
Montclair State was predicted third and has been voted as this year’s dark horse team to watch. Ramapo and William Paterson round out the preseason predictions in fourth and fifth, respectively.
TCNJ and Rowan went toe-to-toe last season, with the Profs taking the regular season win and NJAC title over the Lions. The Lions returned the favor by defeating the Profs at the Met Championships.
James McChesney, a 2021-22 NCAA All-American in five events, returns to lead the Lions this season. He earned All-America accolades last season in the 50, 100, and 200 freestyle events as well as the 400 and 800 freestyle relays. He is also the reigning NJAC champion in the 100 and 200 free, 200 medley relay, and 800 free relay. He is joined by two of last year’s NJAC major award winners in reigning Diver of the Year Ethan Weiss and Rookie of the Year Shawn Kushner. Kushner won the NJAC titles in both the 100 and 200 breast stroke and helped the Lions’ 400 medley relay to silver. Weiss was the top NJAC diver on both the 1-meter and 3-meter boards, also capturing the Met Championship title on the 1-meter board. Head Coach David Dow also brings back a strong core of senior leadership and experience, and welcomes a group of eight rookies looking to make an immediate contribution.
Rowan has won five of the last six NJAC titles, and five of the last five for which the Profs have competed. Head Coach Brad Bowser’s squad has very large shoes to fill upon the graduation of Kevin Gillooly, the reigning 50 freestyle national champion, multiple-event All-American, and three-time NJAC Swimmer of the Year. A solid group of experienced upperclassmen look to continue Rowan’s run at the NJAC title, including Alex Volin who earned All-America honors in the 400 freestyle relay last year and qualified in the 200 free. He was also all-conference in four events (200 and 500 free, 400 and 800 free relays). Tobias Cahnbley is also back after earning All-NJAC honors in the 500 free, 1650 free, and 200 back, including the NJAC title in the 500 free. Kevin Yanagisawa also returns after capturing the NJAC title in the 200 butterfly last year as well as helping the Profs to a runner-up finish in the 800 free relay. Joe Rucci also looks to be in the mix after picking up three all-conference accolades last year, including Second Team in the 200 butterfly and 400 individual medley and honorable mention in the 200 individual medley.
Montclair State head coach Brian McLaughlin returns a large group from a squad that finished fifth at the Met Championships last season, including several all-conference honorees. Spenser Dubois is back after earning Second Team All-NJAC honors in the 100 breast stroke as well as honorable mention in the 200 breast stroke. Lucas Gomes, a member of three all-conference relays, was also among the A-finalists at the Met Championships last year in the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly. Ryan Kappes, who helped the Red Hawks’ 400 free relay to all-conference honors last year, was top five at Mets in the 1650 free and swam in the A-final of the 500 free. Dennis Delargy, who swam on the all-conference 200 and 400 medley relays, was also an A-finalist in the 100 backstroke and third in the B-final of the 200 back. Brandon Do is also back after finishing in the top-10 among NJAC swimmers in the 200 breaststroke along with swimming on the all-conference 400 medley relay. Greg Karback was a mainstay on the Red Hawk relays that earned all-conference honors, including the 400 medley relay and 200 and 400 free relays.
Ramapo features a solid core of upperclassmen along with several newcomers after Head Coach Gary Orr’s squad finished sixth overall at Mets last season. Emile Eeckhout leads the way after helping the Roadrunners’ 800 free relay to all-conference honors last year. He was also an A-finalist in the 200 breaststroke and finished third in the B-final of the 100 breaststroke. He also helped the 200 medley relay to sixth overall at Mets last year. He and Brendan McDevitt led the Roadrunners’ 400 medley relay to seventh at Mets/fourth among NJAC teams, and McDevitt also swam the 200 free relay that finished sixth at Mets. Mike Sooy also returns to lead the distance swimmers after placing 21
st at Mets in the 1650 free while setting personal bests in three distances at the championship meet. Sophomore Sam De Leon also returns after gaining valuable experience as a rookie last year and looks to lead the Roadrunners in the back and breast strokes.
William Paterson head coach Ed Gurka will guide his young team this season, as the Pioneers group is largely newcomers. Shane Apito looks to provide leadership in the pool after gaining valuable experience as a rookie last year while helping his team pick up six nonconference victories, including a string of five consecutive wins midway through the season. Apito set personal bests last season in the 200 butterfly and 400 individual medley at the Met Championships while also posting a top-20 mark in the 200 fly.
Four teams open this weekend with two conference meets featuring William Paterson hosting TCNJ and Ramapo hosting Montclair State. Rowan opens its season on Oct. 22.
2022-23 NJAC Swimming & Diving Preseason Poll
- TCNJ (3)
- Rowan (2)
- Montclair State (dark horse)
- Ramapo
- William Paterson