MEN'S SWIMMING AND DIVING PREPARES FOR AMCC CHAMPIONSHIP

The AMCC men's swimming and diving teams will take to the starting blocks this week for the 2018 AMCC championship meet. Hosted by Penn State Behrend at the Junker Center, the diving events will lead off Wednesday evening, with the swimming events to follow Thursday, February 15 through Saturday, February 17.

The Behrend Lions will enter the championship meet looking for their 12th consecutive conference title. Junior Mark Patterson, the 2017 AMCC Swimmer of the Year, has recorded the top time in the conference in three events -- the 200 freestyle (1:43.40), 500 freestyle (4:46.30), and the 200 backstroke (1:53.11). Patterson also recorded top-ten times in the 1650 freestyle (18:13.19) and the 200 (1:22.18) breaststroke. 

Alfred State College, who joined the AMCC as an affiliate member in swimming and diving in 2016-17, earned a second place finish at the 2017 championship meet. This season, sophomore Ethan Dale recorded the third-best time in the AMCC in the 100 breaststroke (1:01.69), the 200 breaststroke (2:16.67), and the 100 individual medley (1:00.02). Dale also picked up top-ten finishes in the 200 butterfly and the 200 and 400 individual medlies. 

Pitt-Bradford junior Lucas Cerchiaro had a solid season for the Panthers as he earned five top-ten times in the AMCC. He recorded the fastest times in the 200 individual medley (1:56.71) and the 400 individual medley (4:15.40), while also picking up top three times in the 200 backstroke and 100 butterfly. 

Penn State Altoona sophomore Tanner Yaw has posted a strong season for the Lions, recording five individual first place finishes (50 Yard Butterfly, 100 Yard Butterfly, 50 Yard Freestyle, 200 Yard I.M., 400 Yard I.M.) while also being part of three relay teams that won their events (200 Yard Freestyle Relay, two 400 Yard Medley Relays).

Cabrini University sophomore Matthew Schaeffer boasts eight top-ten finishes, including one top time, in the AMCC this season. His top time was a 56.96 finish in the 100 individual medley, as well as a second-best conference time of 2:00.28 in the 200 individual medley.

Please click here for the AMCC Swimming and Diving Championship information page.