Women's Swimming | 10/22/2015 12:40:00 PM

The Lewis men's and women's swimming programs have their 2015-16 home opener on Friday (Oct. 23) against William Jewell at the Lewis Pool at 5 p.m.

It is a special group for head swimming coach Roger Karns as Lewis' 10 seniors make up his first recruiting class at Lewis for the fifth-year head coach.

"It has been nice to see this group grow," Karns said. "They came in knowing my expectations and have done a nice job of passing those expectations and traditions down to the underclassmen and newcomers."

The senior class is balanced by a large incoming class. On the women's side, seven freshmen and a junior college transfer join the squad. For the men, five transfers and three freshmen make up the newcomers.

"We have a nice group with a mix of experience and youth," Karns said. "It is a fun team to work with and they can really bring it in the pool too. They have a friendly competition that helps everyone succeed. It is a 'lets get after this together and see how fast we can go' attitude. When you get that, that is when things really work."

Lewis' meet on Friday kicks off a busy eight days for the Flyers as Lewis travels to Grand Valley State on Saturday (Oct. 24) before returning home to host GLVC member Truman State and Lake Forest on Saturday (Oct. 31). Karns says a demanding schedule is all part of the plan.

"We swim a challenging schedule on purpose," Karns said. "I think it helps our swimmers focus and rise to the challenge each week. I think we will continue to set a lot of new school records set this year and earn more championship final finishers. That all leads to the ultimate goal of bringing more people to nationals."

Karns is especially optimistic about Lewis' relays.

"I think we can get a women's relay to nationals for the first time since 2002 this year," Karns continued. "On the men's side, I think each relay has a shot to qualify. Accomplishments like that are markers as you build a program."

There are several Flyers looking for a breakout seasons.

On the men's side, Mads Knoblauch (Svenborg, Denmark/Svenborg Gymnasium) is ready for competition in 2015-16. The backstroke student-athlete redshirted last season.

"Mads is lighting it up," Karns said. "He has been pretty exciting to watch in practice and now we have competitions in front of him.

Freshman Colin Williams (Elk Grove, Ill./Elk Grove) opened the season with a victory in the 100 fly at Valparaiso. Adam Wise (Ocala, Fla./Forest) won the 50 and 100 free at Valpo.

"Colin is our top butterfly right now and is doing really well," Karns said. "Adam already has a GLVC Swimmer of the Week honor after his performance at Valpo."

Junior Aidan Brennan (Naples, Fla. /Barron Collier), who won the 1000 freestyle at Valpo, is looking as strong as ever.

"Aidan helped rewrite three relay records last season," Karns said. "I feel really comfortable during a relay when I know he is swimming the anchor leg."

Senior Zach Ballon (Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek) is the school record holder in the 100 and 200 breaststroke and is also a team captain.

"Zach is well ahead right now where he was a year ago," Karns said. "He works really hard and takes his leadership position very seriously. I'm very fortunate to have him on the team."

On the women's side, senior Montana Clasby (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Cedar Falls) is also a team leader. She owns the 200 breaststroke school record as well contributing to the 200 and 400 medley relay marks.

"Montana's strokes are realy coming together," Karns said. "She has looked really good."
 
Senior Shelby Leonard (Sarasota, Fla./Sarasota) came in last season as a junior college transfer and made an immediate impact. She set the 100 and 200 backstroke marks as well has helping Lewis set three relay records.

"Shelby had an injury right before coming to school but she is working through it and starting to swim well," Karns said. "She is that type of person who will do everything she needs to do to get where she needs to be."

Junior Sarah Cameron (Brownstone, Mich./Carlson) was also new last season as a transfer from Eastern Michigan. She finished third at the GLVC Championships in the 400 IM. Freshman Taylor Vera (Wyoming, Mich./Grand Rapids Catholic Central) looks to make a similar impact in the distance events this year. She won the 500 and 1000 free at Valpo to open the season.

"Sarah is swimming extremely well," Karns said. "Taylor is a distance specialist who is setting the pace right now for the entire team."

Versatile sophomore Makenzie Murphy (Reno, Nev./Galena) is also in position for a special season.

"Makenzie isn't number one in any event but she is a work horse," Karns said. "She continues to erase chunks of time off her personal bests."
 
Karns stresses these are just a few Flyers who are in position to make an impact in 2015-16.

"I could name 20 more swimmers who are working as hard as they can," Karns said. "That attitude is infectious and as each week goes by we have more and more people steping up a little bit more, and that is how a team becomes successful."