Coming off Friday’s big win over Division III Millikin, the men’s swimming team looks to continue its winning ways against Valparaiso.

Sophomore Nick Lore said the team does not rely on one swimmer but instead relies on swimmers in all events to place well.

“We need to focus and swim well since we don’t have many meets left,” Lore said. “In order to focus, we need to test ourselves, so this will be a chance to do that this week (against Valparaiso).”

Underclassmen have stepped up recently, which is helpful considering the conference meet is just more than a month away. Freshman Caleb Arthur won the 100-yard backstroke against Millikin with a time of 57.76.

Freshman Nate Moritz has come up big as well; winning against a tough Indiana-Purdue-Indianapolis team in the 100-butterfly (2:04.39) at the beginning of the season. He improved his time in the same event against Evansville with a time of 2:03.67.

“Arthur should do well, and Nate Moritz too,” junior Joe Ethington said. “I feel they will step up at the meet because they’ve worked hard at practice to get better and stronger which has contributed to their success.”

Freshman Matt Scaliatine and sophomore Matt Crittenden are also a part of Eastern’s depth of young swimmers.

“Scaliatine has done well,” Lore said. “He’s put out excellent times for us this year in the breaststroke and in the (individual medley).”

Conference meet around the corner

The Summit League conference meet is Feb. 21-23 at Oakland, and men’s swimming head coach Ray Padovan can only take a limited roster to the meet.

Many of the swimmers chose to remain mum on the decision, leaving it up to Padovan, although some did admit that those who would go would go based on performance.

“Whoever works the best, and whoever has the best times will go,” Ethington said. “It is pretty much up in the air for anyone to go as long as we work hard in practice.”

“Padovan’s our coach, so he decides,” Scarpetta said. “He’s coached for that long and is doing great for us.”

Laird continues diving success

Junior diver Joe Laird’s name appears at the top of diving results so often his teammates think he’s an automatic win for the team.

“Laird should do great in competition in the coming weeks,” Ethington said. “He’s done well at practice and should do pretty well in conference.”

“Laird’s done really good this year,” Lore said. “I’ve been really impressed so far this season, and he just needs to continue what he’s done: practicing hard and just overall doing great for us.”

Ross Meister may be reached at 581-7944 or at rwmeister@eiu.edu.