The Union College men's swim team will be among the contenders for this year's New York State championship meet, which opens on Thursday, February 26 and runs through Saturday night at Webster High School in Webster, New York.
The Dutchmen finished third last year with 1,079 points, behind Alfred (1,219) and Ithaca (1,127). Hartwick was fourth with 925 points.
“We are looking for a very competitive meet,” said head coach Scott Felix. “We think that we are one of the top teams in the meet and have our goals set very high. Our relay teams should once again be very strong and we are also looking to bring home some individual championships.”
The Dutchmen were dominant in last year's relays, winning state championships in the 50, 200, 400, and 800 freestyle races as well as in the 400 medley event. Junior Elliot Sequin, sophomore David Hogenkamp, sophomore Matt Acciani and junior Andrew Sparkes are four of the six swimmers who brought home titles last year.
Individually, Sequin won the state crown in the 50 and 100 freestyle races and was third in the 200 free. Hogenkamp, meanwhile, took second in both the 100 and 200 backstroke events.
Union's performances in last year's state championships earned the Dutchmen several spots in the NCAA meet where the Garnet finished 14th.