BUFFALO — Buffalo State swimming and diving is set to compete in the SUNYAC Championships at the Burt Flickinger Aquatic Center at Erie Community College beginning Wednesday, Feb. 15 and running thru Saturday, Feb. 18. The Bengal men are looking to improve on a seventh-place finish in last year’s meet while the women are looking to move up from eighth.
The men’s team is led by preseason All-American Connor Mergler (E. Amherst/Williamsville North) who won three individual events at last year’s SUNYACs. Mergler broke the conference and meet record in the 50 free (20.25) and took home three titles overall, winning the 50, 100 and 200 free, while setting school records in all three events. The junior business administration major won the SUNYAC Male Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet and went on to become a three-event All-American at the 2016 NCAA Division III National Championships.
Helping him in team scoring will be returners Jake Brigham (Binghamton/Binghamton), Tom DePasquale (Tonawanda/Kenmore West), Ryan McHale (Lancaster/Lancaster), Tyler Minnick (Latham/Shaker), Tim Petranchuk (Cheektowaga/Cheektowaga) and diver Justin Moser (Tonawanda/Kenmore East).
McHale finished eighth in the 400 free at last year’s meet, while also swimming legs of the 200 medley and 800 free relays. Petranchuk finished eighth in the 1650 free.
Freshmen swimmers Dan Kuznetsov (Williamsville/Williamsville South) and Cody Wittmeyer (Boston/Hamburg) will look to add to Buffalo State’s scoring.
The women’s side is looking to score points from returning diver Shannon Coyne (W. Seneca/W. Seneca East) who finished 15th in the one meter event at last year’s championships. Sophomore Bri Chehovich (Auburn/Auburn) and newcomers Alyssa Greymont (Morgan Hill, CA/Flex Academy), Emma Leonard (Horseheads/Horseheads), Kelly Lindner (W. Seneca/W. Seneca West) and Michelle Viera (Smithtown/Smithtown West) are all looking to make their mark in their first championship appearance.
Buffalo State broke a total of nine school records in last year’s championships.
“I am very excited for the next four days,” head coach Nick Stone said. “It’s hard to predict how we will do, but based on our dual meets and what I have seen in the pool and on the board this season; it will be a good weekend.”
To go with the SUNYAC Championships, four points in the season-long “Battle by the Lake” rivalry competition between Buffalo State and Fredonia will be awarded based on the outcome of the meet, with two points each being awarded to the school whose men’s and women’s teams finish higher in the final meet standings.
Tickets will be sold at the door for all sessions. Adult tickets are $5 per session or $25 for an all-sessions pass. Children ages 6-12 are $3 per session or $15 for an all-sessions pass. Children five and under and SUNYAC students with a school ID are free.
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