The 2020-21 Kalamazoo College men's swimming & diving team is set to begin its season on Saturday, February 6 at Olivet College. The Hornets' schedule is much shorter than usual due to the delayed start, but will still feature multiple meets before their conference championships March 5-6 at Calvin University. The Kalamazoo roster has three seniors and brings in four freshmen.
Key Dates
- The Hornets open their season on Saturday, February 6 at Olivet College.
- The Hornets will also participate in a tri-meet on Friday, February 12 hosted by Hope College along with Alma College.
- The MIAA Championship on the men's side will begin Friday, March 5, and conclude on Saturday, March 6 at Calvin University.
Key Returners
- Matt Howrey returns following a junior season in which he placed in the top-8 in each of his three events (1650 Freestyle, 400 IM, 200 IM) at the MIAA Championships. In addition, Howrey is the only returning captain from this past season and will serve as an important leader for the team.
- Sam Ankley returns following a freshman season that consisted of being chosen as MIAA Diver of the Week five times, as well as an appearance at the NCAA Division III Diving Regionals. Ankley finished fourth in 1M Diving and third in 3M Diving at the MIAA Championships.
Key Additions
- While each of the freshmen look to make an immediate impact this season, none fill a hole as significant as Tim Karubas as a sprint freestyler. After losing the top-four sprint freestylers this past offseason due to either graduation or transfer, Karubas comes in with the Hornet's top time in the 50 freestyle (22.18), as well as the second-best time in the 100 freestyle (48.83).
Coaches
- Head Coach Jay Daniels returns for his fifth season as head coach of the Hornet swimming and diving teams. He has coached 16 different individuals to All-MIAA recognition and three Hornets have earned All-American honors under Daniels. The men's team competed to a national finish in 2017-18 as it finished 52nd in the country.
- Brie Powers returns for her fourth season as assistant coach of the Hornet swimming and diving teams. A Kalamazoo native, Powers swam at the University of Texas from 2007-2011 and was a four-time NCAA qualifier as well as a 2008 Olympic Trials qualifier. Powers has done wonders for the sprint group since arriving at Kalamazoo as just last season she helped to coach the men's 200-freestyle relay which achieved an NCAA B qualifying time.
- Kyle Oberhill returns for his 12th season as dive coach of the Hornet swimming and diving teams. Oberhill, a former Kalamazoo College diver, was a part of the coaching staff who helped the Hornets to an MIAA Championship back in 2011 as well as in 2012 when they finished 13th overall at the NCAA Championships. Oberhill has coached multiple All-MIAA divers as well as multiple NCAA DIII Championship qualifiers.
Quoting Coach Daniels
"This season looks different for everyone. However, I'm grateful for the opportunity we have to be together as a team. I'm excited to see what we can take away from this abbreviated season. Going on our second season without having a home pool as well as the obvious impacts of COVID-19, we have faced more challenges than usual. Still, our swimmers and divers have faced this adversity head-on with resilience. Regardless of what this season brings, I'm incredibly proud of this team and honored to be their coach." - Jay Daniels