Alabama and Delta State Set to Open 2016-2017 Collegiate Season Friday Night

09-12-14 MWSD vs Delta State 400 Freestyle Relay Emma Saunders Photo by Amelia J. Brackin

Photo Courtesy: Amelia J. Brackin/Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – With meets that included the United States Olympic Team Trials, the U.S. Open and the Rio Olympics, Alabama swimmers and divers had a very busy summer.

Things haven’t slowed down with the start of classes, practices and the 2016-17 season. Just four weeks after the school year got underway, head coach Dennis Pursley’s teams once again are taking part in the first dual meet of the collegiate season this Friday at 4 p.m. in the Alabama Aquatic Center against Delta State.

“Personally, I like having a meet early on,” Pursley said. “It gives everyone involved an idea of exactly where we are and gives the coaching staff some great feedback for the early portion of the season.”

The Crimson Tide returns 13 All-Americans from last year’s squads that finished sixth nationally on the men’s side and 28th on the women’s side. The Tide also returns NCAA Champions Pavel Romanov, Luke Kaliszak and Connor Oslin as well as 2016 Olympians Christopher Reid, Jack Hadjiconstantinou and Anton McKee.

The women’s team is without All-American Emma Saunders while the men lost NCAA champion and All-American Kristian Gkolomeev as well as All-Americans Brett Walsh and Crews Wellford, all of which finished their eligibility last season.

Looking to step up and find a place in the Tide’s lineup are 12 freshmen, six men and six women, who are all slated to see action on Friday. The Tide also has a newcomer on deck when it comes to Alabama’s diving coach. Chuck Wade is in his first season with Alabama swimming and diving, replacing 29-year veteran Pat Greenwell, who retired over the summer.

For the Tide’s veterans, Delta State is a familiar foe, especially in season-opening action. The two teams have battled it out the first meet of the collegiate season each of the last three years.

Admission is free to Friday’s meet and giveaways include pizza, Alabama swim caps and schedule posters.

For all the latest information on the Alabama swimming and diving teams, follow AlabamaSwimDive on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. General athletic news can be found @UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook.

The University of Alabama contributed this report.

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