MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - After finishing fifth at the PSAC Championships last February, head coach Evan Anthony and his returning swimmers faced a rebuilding year following the graduation of five seniors. Fortunately, a strong core of returners including Leah Eckert, Jillian Fidelman, Molly Kawash, Jane McClelland, Kate Pelagatti, Anna Sassaman, Madison Taylor, Claire Weaver, and Izabella Wreski, stepped up to create a positive and welcoming team culture that drew the incoming class in right away. The 17-person squad welcomed eight new faces this season: Hannah Baumgardner, Sara Blitva, Sydney Brown, Anna Burrowes, Abigail Lowman, Violet Pizzillo, Christiana Snavely, and Kiersten Zecchin. Ahead of this Saturday's inter-squad meet and the team's first home competition against Saint Francis University, Coach Anthony shared his thoughts on the preseason. 

What strengths have you seen from the new comers?
Evan Anthony (EA): It's a very big group. That's actually eight new comers that we have this year. It's about half of the team, which is very exciting. So they bring a lot of energy as far as practice and everything goes. They've accumulated very well to everything and done a very nice job in the water. They're very hard workers and it kind of just fit that identity of what we're looking for. You know, going into my third year, we've kind of set the preset of what the expectations are and the returners have shown that to them. But then also they're forming into that mole of what we're looking for to really develop them as very good, just well rounded student-athletes. But I'm very excited for what they're gonna do and they've done a very nice job so far. 

What role has your returners played in shaping team culture? 
EA: Yeah, the returners have done a very nice job. We have four seniors and two juniors on the team. As far as the program today, I'd say a big reason why a lot of people are coming to swim here is because the team, and kind of that culture and environment that they set. In our sport, it's really important to enjoy the environment that you're in, and to make it a place you want to come to. You know, practice is challenging and swimming is challenging. The more that the returners can add to that and show the new swimmers what those expectations are, the more fun we're going to have. The faster we're gonna swim, the better they can do in class, overall they need to enjoy their time here. 

What are some preseason strengths you've seen?
EA: As far as the preseason comes in, we start adding weight usually the second week and we're in the weight room three times a week. Then we start adding on swimming. Early on it's very aerobic and then we eventually get into specific training like pace work and that sorta thing. I would say work ethic is the greatest thing I've seen out of this group. There's 17 on the team right now, but we're kind of balancing all the class conflicts and this and that. Whenever they get the opportunity to be in the water, they've been doing a really good job just making the most of it. So, I say I'm happiest with the work ethic and I'm excited about that.

If your team could have a theme song, what would it be and why?
EA: The theme song would definitely be Don't Stop the Party by Pitbull. I think that's a good one for the team just because they're always energetic, a fun group, and they're fun to be around. We do our best when we are ourselves and we worry about ourselves, and not what's going on around us. We kind of set the focus on us. I think that song is just like us, we like to have a good time. It goes back to talking about the environment that we want to be a part of and create. If we're having a good time and having fun with each other, then we're gonna swim fast, get good grades, and have a good experience. 

Check out the Marauders this Saturday during their inter-squad meet at 1 p.m. or when they host Saint Francis University on Oct. 18, at 1 p.m.