KEENE, N.H.  3/19/13 – The wait is over for seven Keene State College men's swimmers, who got out of town just in time, packing their bags, including a few swim suits, for the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships that begin Wednesday in Shenandoah, Texas.

The Owls, who last competed over a month ago at UConn's Husky Invitational, have spent the time wisely, in hopes of finishing in the top-10 at the championship meet.  "I think the time off has been really good for us senior Austin Harris (Essex Junction, Vt.). " Last year at this time, I don't think we were in shape.  Jack (KSC Coach Jack Fabian) has had us on a pretty strenuous program this past year and overall I think we're more prepared for the meet."

The meet will be held at the Conroe Natatorium, a $14 million world-class indoor competitive swimming, diving, and Olympic training facility located in Shenandoah, about 45 minutes north of Houston.

Keene State enters the championship ranked 15th in the latest national poll.  Defending champ Denison (OH) University, who ended Kenyon's record 31-year stranglehold on the title in 2011, is ranked fourth.  MIT tops the poll.

Junior Drew Ledwith (Keene, N.H.) leads the list of Owl entries.  Ledwith, a three-time All-American, tops the charts in the 500 free (4:27.29) and the 1,650 free (15:19.79).  He will also compete in the 400 I.M. and swim a leg of KSC's 800 free relay. Last year, Ledwith finished second in the 1,650 and fifth in the 500. "I have some goals in mind, but don't really want to talk about them," he said.  "I think I'm physically and mentally I'm ready for the challenge.  I've been improving each year, so hopefully I can keep it going."

Juniors Jared Hyde (Tolland, Conn.) and James Black (Lynn, Mass.) and Harris are making return trips to the nationals while the freshman trio of Shahar Resman (Ashdod, Israel), Cole Hogg (Manchester, N.H.) and Greg Youngstrom (West Hartford, Conn.) will be making their first NCAA appearances.  Hyde, Back, and Harris earned honorable mention All-America honors in three relays at last year's meet.

Members of Keene State's 800 free relay that earned an automatic A cut berth, Hyde, Resman, and Hogg will also have the opportunity to swim several individual events.  Hyde will also compete in the 200 I.M. and the 100 free, Resman will swim in the 500 and 1,650 free, and Hogg will race in the 200 free and 200 fly.  Youngstrom, will also get a chance to race in the 50 and 100 free events.  Harris and Black will concentrate just on the 200 and 400 free relays.

"Last year I got honorable mention honors, so this time I want the real thing," said Hyde "I definitely think we're going to get All-American (top-eight) in the relays.  We feel we're going to fly at nationals." 

Hyde will be the Owls anchor man in the relays.  "I get pumped up being the anchor, especially if we're a little behind," said Hyde.  "It's what I love to do. I like the chase."

When it comes to earing All-American, Harris is hoping the third time's the charm.  "This is my third time going, so I hope this is my year," he said.  "It's been my goal for four years."

The newest additions to Keene State's relays, Youngstrom and Hogg aren't just along for the ride.  "It's going to be fun racing the big boys like Dennison and Kenyon," said Hogg. "It's going to be awesome.  I can't wait." 

Unlike last year when he used Ledwith, a distance swimmer, in sprint relays, Fabian will has the luxury of having four sprinters in the 200 and 400 free relays. Hyde will be the only cross over swimmer, competing in the sprints as well as the 800 free relay. 

Fabian knows the Owls will need on top of the game if they hope to crack the top-10.  "It's going to be a challenge to do it with seven guys," Fabian concedes.  "We need to score in individual events and the relays need to finish in the top eight."  If we can do that, we'll definitely do better than last year when we were 17th." 

Hogg said he's didn't mind giving up his spring break to train for the Championships. "I'm not disappointed.  I probably would've ended up swimming during spring break anyway," he said.  "I just love to swim that much.

All seven swimmers will be making their first trip to Texas.  "I want to ride a mechanical bull on the final night and also get a legit leather cowboy hat," said Hogg.