Swimming and Diving Releases Inaugural Schedule

2010 Swimming and Diving Schedule

PAINESVILLE, Ohio – The Lake Erie College men's and women's swimming and diving teams have released their schedule for their inaugural season, which opens on October 15 against Urbana at the Perry Community Fitness Center.

That will be one of several early tests for the Storm as they join the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in the swimming program's first season.

"The meet against Urbana is significant because they are also a young program," said Storm head coach Nikki Rose.

The next day, Lake Erie hosts conference rival Findlay in the first GLIAC dual meet in program history.

The Storm does not have another home meet until a Jan. 8, 2011 date with Alma.

In between, the Storm will swim against Wheeling Jesuit, Davis & Elkins, California (Pa.), Gannon and Ashland. Lake Erie also will participate in the John Carroll Invite Nov. 19-20.

"The focus of the schedule was on facing a variety of Division II programs, some of which have been around for decades and others which are just getting off the ground," Rose said. "It will be a great measuring stick for us."

The road will not be easy in the GLIAC with three men's and women's teams ranked in the top 10 in the nation, including Ashland, which will host the Storm on Nov. 13.

"We know our athletes will be going against the top swimmers in Division II right off the bat," said Rose.

Lake Erie wraps up the season with a quad meet against Notre Dame (Ohio), Malone and Ursuline on Jan. 29 before traveling to the GLIAC Championships Feb. 9-12. 

"We have swimmers that can perform well in the GLIAC. That competition can help push them to the next level," said Rose. "The goal has been to find swimmers that can be successful in the GLIAC and contenders on the national level."

The challenges are there for Rose and her swimmers, but as any new program would have to do, they will have to jump right in.

Said Rose: "We're just testing the waters."