Air Force Swimming Takes On Navy
10/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving
Oct. 1, 2003
The Air Force's men's and women's swimming programs begin their 2003-2004 season this Friday evening with a dual meet against their service-academy counterpart, the Naval Academy Midshipmen. The meet will be held in Lejeune Hall at 6p.m.
This meet will be the first time these two men's swimming teams have dueled and only the third time the lady midshipmen and Air Force women have met. The ladies dueled in 1990 and 1992 with Air Force emerging victorious in both instances.
The Air Force women's Swimming program is led by head coach KC Converse. He has been with the lady Falcons since 1988. Reflecting on the upcoming meet in Annapolis Converse said, "We look forward to opening our season against Navy. Our women swimmers and divers are off to a great start in training and this meet will be an opportunity to see where we are compared to a very strong Navy team.
Converse added, "We also look forward to getting to know the Navy swimmers and divers a little better over the course of the weekend at Annapolis."
The lady Falcons have 15 returning letter winners along with five freshmen who will create the team to battle the lady Midshipmen this Friday.
On the men's side, head coach Rob Clayton had this to say about the upcoming meet.
"This is one of our best schedules ever. We've been trying to schedule Navy for years, and finally we have a meet with them," said Clayton.
Leading the charge for the Falcons will be the strongest swimming class in the history of Air Force swimming & diving.
"We appear to be very well-balanced as a team, with huge strengths in the stroke events and distance freestyle," Clayton said.
The Falcons led both Army and Navy in 15 of the 19 swimming disciplines heading into the 2003-04 season. Air Force started the 2004 season after posting its highest conference finish in history-runners up during both the regular season and at the Mountain West Conference Championship meet.
With the Class of 2004 leading the way, this season looks to be the best ever for Air Force swimming and diving. Understandably, Clayton has a hard time containing his enthusiasm. "This is a great time in the history of our program. This could be our finest hour. The men are ready to do that which no other [Air Force Academy] team has done, win a Mountain West Championship. Their determination gives great reason to hope that we can achieve this lofty goal."
