The fall season is wrapping up for Oregon club sports, but two teams in particular are poised for success once they return from winter break. The swimming and lacrosse teams hope to accomplish big goals when the season resumes.
Swimming team coordinator Hank Schramm was encouraged by the high turnout this year. The team has more than 40 swimmers, more than half of whom are new to the program.
The young team was encouraged by its recent home meet against Central Washington, Western Washington and Western Oregon, which drew more than 70 swimmers.
While the team comprises many new swimmers, it has also benefitted from the upperclassmen. “They are the group of people who always fuel and fire up the team,” Schramm said.
Junior Chris Renggli stood out for the Ducks this fall. Renggli performed well individually in the 100-meter backstroke and as a member of the medley relay team, and has previously led the team in regional and national competition.
The contributions of former team coordinator Liz Dow have also aided the team this year. The swimming club owes much of its success and growth to Dow’s efforts, who led the team for the past few years.
“We definitely would not be where we’re at today without her,” Schramm said.
The team will compete in the regional competition in early March in Ellensburg, Wash., and hopes to send some swimmers to April’s national competition at Miami University of Ohio.
Excitement is also in the air for Oregon’s club lacrosse team. Its fall season consisted solely of scrimmage games, but team coordinator Jon Matusiefsky has been pleased with the outcome so far.
The team went 3-2 at the Best of the West tournament in Las Vegas early in the term, but is now gearing up for important games this spring.
While it will play games at home, some of the team’s biggest match-ups will come on the road. This spring, it will play Brigham Young, Chapman and Minnesota-Duluth on the road. All three of those teams participated in last season’s Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association national championships.
Despite tough opponents, Matusiefsky feels the team can do well.
“We’re really confident and excited to play all those games,” he said. “We’re excited to play against the best talent.”
The Ducks have plenty of talent of their own. Juniors Justin Blackmore and Chad Loescher have been big contributors for the team throughout fall scrimmage play, and junior Cole Magnuson has led the team’s strong defensive unit.
“We have a really good chemistry out there,” Matusiefsky said. “We’ve definitely come together faster than other years.” The team hopes to translate that chemistry to success in the regional tournament and a high seed for the MCLA national championships in May.
“We think we definitely have the potential,” Matusiefsky said.
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