Much of UF’s men’s swimming and diving team’s potential success this season will likely be due to Olympic gold medalist Caeleb Dressel.
The 20-year-old junior from Green Cove Springs put the world on notice last March when he broke national records in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle at the NCAA Championships with times of 18.20 and 40.46, respectively.
But while Dressel accounted for nearly half of UF’s victories last season — a season which included an SEC Championship and a third place finish at the NCAAs — among returning swimmers, he will not be the men’s only top contributor.
Senior Jack Blyzinskyj and juniors Jan Switkowski and Mark Szaranek are all expected to take on bigger roles this season.
Blyzinskyj, who is UF’s primary backstroke swimmer, accumulated 23 total victories last season, including 15 relay wins.
Switkowski and Szaranek combined for 17 victories in solo competition last season. Their ability to perform in solo events as well as relays will be vital against a much tougher SEC gauntlet this season.
The men’s team will also receive a boost in depth from incoming freshmen Maxime Rooney and Drew Clark.
Rooney, a top-five recruit in the 2016 class, will bolster Florida’s freestyle lineup.
Clark, a Florida 4A state champion in the 500-yard freestyle, could be a viable option to replace graduate Arthur Frayler in endurance events, such as the 1,650-yard freestyle.
On the women’s side, the Gators will be looking to retool their lineup after finishing outside of the top 10 at the NCAAs for the first time since 2000.
With Natalie Hinds gone, along with eight other swimmers and divers from last season, the Gators will need some extra effort out of everyone.
Redshirt senior Georgia-Mae Hohmann, along with sophomores Hannah Burns and Mollie Pulte, are expected to be UF’s top contributors this season.
Hohmann, who leads the Gators in total victories (15), will play a critical part individually in both the backstroke and butterfly events.
Meanwhile, Burns and Pulte will be the main core in Florida’s freestyle and relay lineups this season after combining for 16 total wins during their freshman campaigns.
UF will also receive a talent boost from incoming freshmen Savanna Faulconer and Makayla Sargent.
Contact Sean Doty at sdoty@alligator.org and follow him on Twitter @TheRealSeanDoty
Florida's Caeleb Dressel reacts after winning the 100-yard freestyle at the NCAA men's swimming and diving championships Saturday, March 26, 2016, in Atlanta. The initials on his face are in honor of a former teacher. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
