Highlighting the freshman class are Madison Reinker

Having lost just two swimmers to graduation last spring, the GW women return 14 competitors from last season's roster - none of whom are seniors - and welcome seven newcomers. Despite the youth on the squad, Coach Rhinehart expects each swimmer to approach every competition ready to win.

"The members of the team might be young in age, but they have a lot of experience," said Coach Rhinehart. "Everyone is very supportive of one another and they push each other to compete at the highest level. Age is not a factor for this team and everyone has the desire to win."

Juniors Lindsay Moore and Caroline Myers and sophomore Janica Lee are the Colonials' key returners from a season ago. Moore had a career season in 2011-12 as she broke school records in the 100- and 200-yard backstroke events, snapping seven- and nine-year old records, respectively. The Charleston, S.C., native was also a member of the 200-yard medley relay that broke the Drexel Pool record last November.

Myers, a two-time team MVP, tallied a team-high 17 victories last season and made a team-best two trips to the podium at the conference championships. Myers nabbed second-place finishes in the 500- and 1,650-yard freestyle events and also finished fifth in the 400-yard individual medley. Competing as a rookie just one season ago, Lee broke the Drexel Pool record in the 200-yard breaststroke in addition to swimming the lead-off leg of the record-breaking 200-yard medley relay. Lee won multiple events during her freshman campaign and was the lone Colonials swimmer to earn A-10 Rookie of the Week honors.

Highlighting the freshman class are Madison Reinker and Kally Vanderbilt. While helping her North Allegheny (Pa.) squad to four straight district championships, Vanderbilt claimed individual district championships in the 200-yard freestyle in addition to being a member of the state championship and state-record setting 200 free relay team. Classmate Madison Reinker owns Visitation Academy (Mo.) records in seven events and was a four-time state championship qualifier.

"We are extremely excited for this season as we have a wonderful group of women on our team," said junior co-captain Taylor Cole. "We are not only a determined and dedicated group of swimmers, but we are also a united and supportive team that will only grow as the season progresses. Everyone is dedicated to the same goal of constantly improving and we are looking forward to what we can accomplish at the Atlantic 10 Championships."

The GW men return 14 members from 2011-12 and welcome four newcomers to this season's squad. Despite losing Marshall Seedorff to graduation this past spring, Coach Rhinehart believes he has the swimmers to fill the Olympic trialist's shoes.

"We will definitely miss Marshall's sprint speed, but the newcomers are fast and they are working hard," said Coach Rhinehart. "We will look to the freshmen to score a lot of points this season and I think it will be visible on the scoreboard."

Seniors Phillip Graeter and Niklas Glenesk, in addition to sophomore Adam Rabe, are expected to pace the Colonials in the pool this season. Graeter, a two-time team MVP, set a new school record and surpassed the previous conference record in the 400-yard individual medley en route to a second-place finish at last year's A-10 Championships. The Schwerin, Germany, product also swam the lead leg of the school-record setting 800-yard freestyle relay that garnered third place at the league meet.

Glenesk anchored the record-setting 800 free relay and posted four career-best times over the course of last season. Rabe had a breakout season as a rookie and finished second at the conference championships in the 200-yard breaststroke, just .30 seconds shy of the first-place finisher.

Competitors at the national level in England, GW will look to freshmen Oliver Keegan and Jordan Sharples to put points on the board this season. Keegan, a London native, is a three-time national champion in his age group in the 200-meter butterfly and a 2012 London Olympics trials qualifier in the 100- and 200-meter fly. A product of Manchester, Sharples helped his 200-meter freestyle relay team earn three straight national championships in his age group, while he also earned an individual national youth championship in the 400-meter freestyle.

"We are training harder than we ever have and each member of our team comes to practice with high expectations, respect for our teammates and determination to succeed," said senior co-captain Stephan Franke. "Success in swimming is only limited by your ability to prepare and we are preparing with the intent of having a historic season. We are all excited to represent GW and continue to stay committed to our excellence."