(Walnut, CA) After a successful run in the CCCAA State Championships last season, as the Mt. SAC Men's Swimming and Diving Team placed third, they look forward to another successful season in 2020.
"We are looking forward to a great year," Mt. SAC Men's Swimming and Diving coach Marc Ruh said. "The kids are training hard and are very focused."
Highlighting this years' team, the Mounties return two state qualifiers from last year - Jonathan Olvera and diver William Struve. All of the others have graduated or transferred to four-year colleges.
"We return 13 freshmen from last year, many of whom were integral in our 2019 South Coast Conference championship run," Ruh added.
Coach Marc and Lani Ruh were awarded SCC Coaches of the Year for the Mounties, who won their sixth consecutive title.
The Mounties welcome swimmers Nathan Chow and Alex Hung from Diamond Bar High School. Chow, who was part of the CIF Championship team, was a 100 freestyle runner-up and ".......is very versatile and can swim just about anything we need him to," Ruh said.
Hung will be a butterfly specialist for the Mounties.
Seven swimmers to watch for on the team are: Parker Eagan (San Dimas), Free middle distance; Tate Cauley, (Free sprint) and Brandon Knapp (Free) of Chino Hills; Cole Kopperud (Los Osos); Two valuable incoming freshmen are - Michael Yeh (Rowland) and Marcus Lira (Glendora).
The Mounties will start the season with their annual trek to Northern California to swim in a dual meet against Diablo Valley College. It will be their seventh consecutive season-opening meet to DVC.
The 35th Annual Mt. SAC Invitational will highlight the early-season schedule Feb. 20-22 at the Marie T. Mills Aquatics Complex. The Mounties have won four of the last six Mt. SAC Invites.
A week after the Invite, Mt. SAC begins SCC dual meet action and concludes with the CCCAA State Championships April 30 at East Los Angeles. The Huskies last hosted the state finals in 2017, after a five-year run.
Follow Mt. SAC Men's Swimming and Diving on twitter @mtsacaquatics
Follow Mt. SAC Athletics on twitter @MtSAC_athletics or Facebook @Mountie.Athletics
For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.