CALIFORNIA (Oct. 18) – The California University of Pennsylvania swimming program begins the 2018-19 campaign on Oct. 20 when its host Notre Dame (Ohio) and Salem at the Hamer Hall Natatorium. The Vulcans roster features 11 returners and two newcomers, while being anchored by a group of four seniors.
 
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
Freshmen – 2
Sophomores – 4
Juniors – 3
Seniors – 4
 
FREESTYLE
Cal U returns several Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) qualifiers in freestyle events. Senior Danielle de Perrot recorded the team's top league-qualifying times in the 50 and 100 freestyle, setting a personal best in both events. Classmate Lauren McAnany also tallied numerous conference times in freestyle events, pacing the team and setting a personal best in both the 500 and 1650 freestyle. Senior Kira Goin ranked among the top half on the team in several freestyle events, while sitting second in terms of time in the 100 and 200 freestyle. Junior Abigail Trocchio and sophomore Krista Wycinsky both look to make improvements after reaching the PSAC mark in several events last season. Sophomore Callie Hampson will also see time in the rotation after racing in several short distance freestyle events. Freshman Abbie Reichelderfer is expected to make an impact in multiple events this season, including distance freestyle.
 
BACKSTROKE
Junior Karley Owens is the most experienced returner in the backstroke after posting a time of 2 minutes, 7.24 seconds in the 200 backstroke, which ranks third all-time in school history in the event. She set a personal best in the 100 backstroke and posted the second best time in the 50 backstroke. de Perrot also hit the league mark in the 200 backstroke last season, while senior Courtney Cortazzo swam several events last year and expects to make improvements in the backstroke. Freshman Kelsie Drennen will see time in the rotation after receiving all-state honors twice at the scholastic level.
 
BREASTSTROKE
de Perrot boasts experience in the these events after registering PSAC marks in the 100 and 200 breaststroke last season. Owens also competed in the breaststroke in 2017 and posted a league-qualifying time in the 100 breaststroke. 
 
BUTTERFLY
Goin registered a pair of top-five times in school history in both the 100 and 200 butterfly, while also pacing the team in both events and reaching league-qualifying marks. She recorded a time of 2:06.72 in the 200 butterfly, which ranks as the second-fastest time at Cal U. Sophomore Arli Tilves also hit the conference mark in both the 100 and 200 butterfly last year. Junior Chassidy Raymond looks to reach the PSAC-qualifying time once again in the 200 butterfly.
 
INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY
Owens and de Perrot bring experience to the event after posting the top-times among the team last season. Owens set the fourth-fastest time in school history in the 200 individual medley with a mark of 2:09.58, while also hitting the league time in the 400 individual medley. de Perrot ranked second on the team in both the 200 and 400 individual medley, while also reaching the league standard in both events. Sophomore Emma Klesen looks to improve her time in the individual medley.
 
RELAY
The Vulcans return several members that competed in relay events at the 2018 PSAC Championship, including Trocchio, Wycinsky and McAnany, which placed sixth in the 800 freestyle relay. Cal U also returns three legs of the team that finished eighth overall at the league championship in the 400 individual medley relay, while also bringing back three members from the eighth place team in 400 freestyle relay.
 
HEAD COACH
Ed Denny enters his 17th season as head coach at Cal U. He has mentored over a dozen swimmers that have garnered NCAA All-America honors nearly 40 combined times in 13 different events. Denny helped guide the Vulcans to a top-five finish in the team standings at the PSAC Championship in four-straight years from 2009-12, while also being selected the PSAC Coach of the Year in 2009.
 
SCHEDULE
The Vulcans start the year with a home tri-match on Oct. 20 versus Notre Dame (Ohio) and Salem before traveling the following week to Fairmont State for a tri-meet on Oct. 26. Cal U then will host a two-day meet against a pair of PSAC opponents before competing at Saint Francis.  
 
In mid-November, the Vulcans travel to compete at the Magus Cup hosted by Cleveland State before returning to Fairmont State for a tri-meet on Dec. 1. Following winter break, Cal U will host the Vulcan Invitational on Jan. 18-19 before competing at a meet hosted by the University of Pittsburgh.
 
The Vulcans will compete at the PSAC Championship from Feb. 20-23 at the Graham Aquatic Center in York, Pennsylvania.