EDINBORO, Pa. – With the weather forecast calling for falling temperatures, and the “s” word even in the forecast for next week, it's time to turn our attention to the winter sports.  The Edinboro men's and women's swimming teams will debut in 2012-13 this weekend, competing in the Westminster Relays on Friday, October 26, followed by a dual meet at Indiana(Pa.) on Saturday, October 27.

A live stream of the IUP meet can be accessed at the following link:
http://www.swimutopia.com/live/2012IUPEdinboro

Former Fighting Scots All-American Chris Rhodes is now in his 12^th season at the helm of his alma mater, and he has helped return the Edinboro program to one of the best in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.  A year ago he led the men's team to a third place finish, the highest since 1994.  The women's team captured sixth place.  Along the way the Fighting Scots posted numerous NCAA provisional qualifying times, and a total of 12 school records.  The women set seven new school standards and the men five.  In duals meets the women were 8-2 and the men were 5-3.

The 2012-13 men's team is led by senior Tony Romanini, who was a two-time winner at last year's PSAC Championships.   He set a school record in the 200-yard IM (1:51.92) and also took first in the 100-yard backstroke (50.32).  Romanini also earned All-PSAC honors as a member of two relay teams.   The 800-yard freestyle relay took third place.  Seth Dippold and Frankie Thatcher also return from that team.  The 200-yard medley relay was also third, and included Dippold and Darren Suroviec.

On the women's side, Alexis Berdine is the lone returning member of the 200-yard medley relay team that took second place at the PSAC Championships.  Rhodes can look forward to the return of swimmers such as Mallory Waldinger, Staci Shrecengost, and Colleen Sheldon, among others.