There are plenty of new faces around the Lewis University Pool this fall. First and foremost Roger Karns takes over as the head coach for both the men's and women's programs. However both squads have their share of new additions. The women's team is made up of seven freshmen while the men welcome five freshman and two transfers. All told there are four men and seven women who donned Lewis caps last season.
 
However with change, comes opportunity.
 
“We have a really good freshman class but they won't have time to work their way in,” Karns said. “They will have to shine from the get go and swim like experienced swimmers.”
 
Luckily for Karns he's been impressed with the team's work ethic.
 
“I've been pleased with the team's commitment to training hard,” Karns said. “They've gone through a lot of transition the last two months so for them to maintain a high level in practice is extremely encouraging.”
 
The goal for the Flyers is to transfer the training into competition.
 
“If we can get each individual to their top performance this season, I'll be pretty darn happy,” Karns said.
 
Karns will tell you there are multiple ways a swimmer can improve their performance.
 
“Times are important, but so are racing skills,” Karns said. “Did they improve their turns, breakouts and race strategy; those are ways all we will judge improvement.”
 
The 2011-12 journey starts on Friday, Oct. 21 at Grand Valley State. Karns is no stranger to Grand Valley State as he spent the last three seasons in Allendale, Mich. as an assistant coach.
 
“It's an interesting start to say the least and I loved my time at GVSU but when I walk in there I'll be bringing my team,” Karns said.
 
 
MEN'S PREVIEW
 
Junior Brandon Drogemuller (Hollister, Calif./San Benito) will be the Flyers' anchor in the freestyle, specifically the distance events. Drogemuller was eighth in the 1650, 12^th in the 1000 and 14^th in the 500 freestyle at Nationals last season. However this year he'll be the leader of the pack. Distance specialist Kevin Coates (Louisville, Ky./Ballard), who became Lewis' most decorated male swimmer in program history, graduated last year.
 
“Brandon is the lead horse now and that can be a difficult transition for some,” Karns said. “So far Brandon has been doing a good job of setting the pace but it is easier to chase than be chased. However he has a good head on his shoulders and he knows what he needs to do.”
 
Look for sophomore Derick Carlson (Norridge, Ill./St. Patrick) to make a difference in the middle distance events. Carlson won the 500 freestyle against Grand Valley State last season in his first collegiate meet. He went on to finish fifth at the GLIAC Championships in the 500 while also recording a B time in the 200 at the GLIACs. He may also see time in the sprint events.
 
“Derick is a quiet kid but he will sneak up on you,” Karns said. “Next thing you know he's in front of you.”
 
Freshman Brett Busch (East Moline, Ill./United Township) and the team's only senior, Chris Bonavolanto (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg), will swim some sprint freestyle and breaststroke events.
 
“Chris is upbeat and extremely competitive,” Karns said. “He will do whatever he can do to help the team and that enthusiasm spills to the people around him.”
 
Look for freshmen Peter Holanda (Berwyn, Ill./Morton West) and Brandon Busch (East Moline, Ill./United Township) in the breaststroke also.
 
“Peter has been working hard on his technique and it is nice to see it coming along,” Karns said. “Brandon, like his brother Brett, is big and muscular and can generate a lot of power.”
 
The Flyers feature one true butterfly swimmer in sophomore Vasya Semenov (Windsor, Ontario/Vincent Massey Secondary). The 2011-12 campaign is Semenov's first at Lewis after swimming at Division II Delta State last season.
 
“His father is a swimming coach and is a pool rat,” Karns said. “He's been swimming really well at practice and I've seen some nice time drops. He isn't a big guy, but he has a nice stroke and makes it work.”
 
Freshman Tyson Polack (Canby, Ore./Canby) will hold down the backstroke events for Lewis.
 
“If you had to pick the quintessential backstroker, it would be Tyson,” Karns said. “He is tall and lanky and works hard. He likes to go fast in practice too. I'm looking for a lot of good things out of him.”
 
The men will be looking to improve their fifth place finish at the GLIAC Championships in 2010-11. The 2011-12 GLIAC Championships is hosted by Northern Michigan on Feb. 8-11.
 
 
WOMEN'S PREVIEW
 
The only senior for both the men and women at Lewis who has spent all four seasons at Lewis is freestyler Ashley Kryger (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard South). She will be leaned on heavily for leadership and guidance.
 
“Ashley is very aware of her leadership role on the team,” Karns said. “She is giving us good swims in practice and is working hard to set the example for the team.”
 
Look for a couple freshmen, Cindy Jezuit (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North) and Maddie Mikrut (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central), to make an impact in the sprint freestyle events.
 
“Maddie can generate speed when she needs to and I've been pleased with her progress so far,” Karns said. “Cindy has shown glimpses of explosiveness in the race simulations we've done and I think she'll have a good year.”
 
Freshman Jen Dimer (Justice, Ill./Argo) and junior Angela Cusack (Willow Springs, Ill./Lyons Township) will also be important in the freestyle. Cusack had a pair of 100 freestyle victories last year. Sophomore Emily Heine (Madison, Miss./Madison Central) moves up to middle distance events this season after swimming just the 50 and 100 during her freshman season. Freshman Elizabeth Ludwig (Byron, Ill./Byron) will see time in the 500.
 
Where the men have Drogemuller as the experienced returner in the distance events, the women have junior Orla Power (Greenville, N.C./J.H. Rose). She owns both the 1000 and 1650 freestyle school records.
 
“Orla feels like she is in a great state of mind entering the season,” Karns said. “She leaves it all in the pool.”
 
Freshman Aubrey Miller (Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown Area) will look to make an impact in the backstroke this year. Karns has been impressed with her work ethic in the preseason.
 
“Aubrey pulled a muscle and you'll have to watch her face when she swims because she won't tell you it hurts too much to swim,” Karns said.
 
Dimer will also be a player in the backstroke.
 
“Jen has a nice stroke and is coming along nicely,” Karns said. “Fly, back, sprint free or wherever, she is very versatile.”
 
Junior Catie Reese (Trafalgar, Ind./Indian Creek) is Lewis' most experienced backstroke and breaststroke returner. She earned a CollegeSwimmer.com National Swimmer of the Week honor as a freshman. However a shoulder injury may limit her early season activity.
 
Freshmen Katie Hallenbeck (Plano, Ill./Plano) and Kristen Silvey (Columbia, Mo./Rock Bridge) along with sophomore Caitlyn Scheirer (Washington, Ill./Washington Community) will look to pick up the slack in the butterfly.
 
“Katie is going to make an immediate contribution and Kristen does the work and will be ready to go,” Karns said. “Caitlyn is good in the IM and seems to do better in the longer distances. She has a good kick which is critical to the butterfly because it drives the stroke.”
 
Sophomore Sarah Kenis (Herndon, Va./Oakcrest), who had a sixth place finish in the 200 IM and eighth in the 200 breaststroke at the GLIAC Championships last season, is also nursing a shoulder injury. It means there will be an opportunity for some newcomers to step up. Look for Silvey to get a chance in the breaststroke.
 
The women will be looking to improve their seventh place finish at the GLIAC Championships in 2010-11.