A little more than seven months removed from the Summit League Championship at Oakland University in February, both the Eastern men’s and women’s swim seasons have resumed.

The 2009 season is underway, and the Panthers have a lot to look forward to this year.

With a large recruiting class of six prep standouts, Eastern men’s swimming looks to be in good shape going forward.

The recruiting class includes: Daniel Enge (Edmond, Ok.), Mike Lacine (Champaign), Mike Lehman (Naperville), Colin McGill (Champaign), Ken Tiltges (Saint Charles) and John Wilson (Orland Park).

“Overall, we have 12 new people and 10 returners,” head coach Matt Bos said. “The talent from the recruiting class in comparison to what we had last year is a big step up.”

One member of the freshman class, Tiltges, looks to have the potential to be a breakout performer for Eastern this season.

After grabbing first in individual freestyle races at the Panthers’ season-opening win over Evansville, Tiltges earned Summit League Male Athlete of the Week.

“He adds a lot of depth and talent to the squad,” Bos said.

The squad’s abundance of youth is balanced by a large group of experienced swimmers.

Among these are junior freestyle swimmer Tim Mathieu and senior freestyle swimmer Brian Strole.

table{border-collapse:separate;border-color:blue; border-style:ridge;}caption {caption-side:bottom}Graphic by Adam Larck/The Daily Eastern NewsMen’s and Women’s Swimming ScheduleDateTeamTime11/7/2009Western Illinois1 p.m.11/20/2009@ Saint Louis6 p.m.12/4/2009@ Ball State5 p.m.1/5/2010@ Bob Mowerson Sprint MeetTBA1/8/2010@ Tunica InvitationalTBA1/9/2010@ Tunica InvitationalTBA1/16/2010Millikin1 p.m.1/24/2010vs. Valparasio11 a.m.

1/24/2010vs. Ball State11 p.m.1/24/2010vs. Butler*11 p.m.

1/24/2010vs. Youngstown State*11 p.m.1/30/2010IUPUINoon2/6/2010Saint LouisNoon* Indicates a women’s only swim meet.

Bos hopes to use Mathieu as one of the go-to guys in the 500 and 1,000 freestyles throughout the season while Strole hopes to make the change from middle distance freestyle to distance freestyle.

“There are a lot of good leaders and new guys on the team,” Mathieu said. “A big recruiting class means they will be here for a while.”

On the women’s side, there will be three new faces including Kelli Dicanio from Barrington, Hailey Foss from Janesville, Wis., and Brittany Kent from Indianapolis.

Bos said Dicanio comes in as the team’s No. 1 breaststroker.

He also hopes Kent will be the missing piece in the squad’s sprint relays, and Foss is a huge addition to the backstroke and individual medley events.

With only one senior graduating from last season, the three newcomers should give the team some depth.

Kevin Maras can be reached at 581-7944 or kjmaras@eiu.edu.

Freshman Mike Lacine swims the backstroke during the 100-yard event against University of Illinois-Chicago in the Ray Padovan Pool Saturday afternoon. The men’s swim team is off to a 1-1 start on the season.(Eric Hiltner/The Daily Eastern News)

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