With over two weeks until the 2011-2012 academic year begins for Stanford University, the Cardinal men’s swim team was in Lafayette, Louisiana to showdown in a dual-meet against Centenary College of Louisiana.
Stanford coach Skip Kenney used this meet as an opportunity to see his talented class of freshmen, viewed as the best in the country, including the debuts of David Nolan, Drew Cosgaera, Jonathon Edwards, Robert Hommel, and Jack Lane. For the Gentleman of Centenary (yes, that really is their official mascot), this was a historic meet, as it was their first as a member of the NCAA’s Division III after making that move down from Division I over the summer.
Stanford swept the meet with little fanfare, though exhibitions left the final score at 111-77.
David Nolan’s only participation was in three relay swims, but despite the lack of an individual race, he did not disappoint. In the 200 medley, he swam the breaststroke leg in 26.18, in the 200 free relay, he split a 20.54, and in the 100 free he split a 45.64.
Stanford saw huge freshman contributions in this meet, including wins in 5 of the 8 individual events. Jonathon Edwards took the 100 back in 50.19 (ahead of All-American Matt Thompson in 50.70). Drew Cosgarea won the 500 free in 4:41.19 (ahead of All-American Chad LaTourette in 4:41.74). Thomas Stephens took the 100 fly in 51.82 (ahead of All-American Matthew Swanston in 51.85). In the sprint freestyles, Cole Davis took the 50 in 21.92 and Robert Hommel took the 100 free in 47.43. Erich Peske also had a nice debut with a pair of relay swims – 22.50 on a 50 fly split in the medley relay (faster than Bobby Bollier’s 22.57), and a 20.97 50 free split in the 200 free relay.
The times aren’t going to win any awards, but this was still an important meet for this ever-hyped group of freshmen. The most important piece was that they showed they are ready to compete. As was evidenced above, they took three wins over veteran Stanford All-Americans, which shows that they have heard the calls about how great they are, and have every intention to live up to them.
Amongst the most impressive non-freshman performances on the day include a 19.92 50-free split from junior Aaron Wayne, who is going to be counted on to lead the Stanford sprint free relays (including the defending champions in the 200 free relay that set an American Record). Curtis Lovelace swam a solid early-season breaststroke in 56.89. He embarks on a senior season as a top-5 finisher in both breaststrokes from last year’s NCAA Championships. Rob Andrews’ win in the 200 free wasn’t that impressive in time (1:44.53), but he did have solid pacing for an early-season race.
Among the top performers for Centenary was Devin Ross, who won a Summit League title last year in the 50 free and will be one of the top sprinters in Division 3 this year. He placed 4th in the 100 fly in 53.20, and also split a 22.89 on the fly leg of Centenary’s A-medley relay
Stanford’s next meet won’t be until October 1st against UC-Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz.
Any idea if Staab is training for Olympic Trials?
He didn’t. Withdrew his appeal.
Did we ever find out if Staab got that extra year of eligibility?