The Middlebury men’s swimming and diving team opens the 2021-22 season on Saturday, November 20 with a dual meet at Connecticut College. The Panthers are returning to competition after no contests last winter due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Head Coach Bob Rueppel returns to the deck of the Natatorium for his 11th season. He enters the new campaign with an even 100 career victories.

The Panthers return a core of swimmers who earned points at the most recent NESCAC Championships. Senior Bryan Chang tops that group and is slated to compete in the freestyle and breaststroke events. Classmate Aska Matsuda is another key returner in the freestyle events, while juniors Fran Curran (free) and Sam Pelletier (breaststroke/backstroke/individual medley) add versatility to the lineup.

Other returning scorers from the conference championship are senior captain  Jake Gaughan (sprint free) junior Isaac Esposito (back)  and senior Ian Johnston (distance free). Senior breaststroker Liam O’Brien will also serve as one of the team’s captains.