BRYANT MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SWIMMING PRIMED FOR RETURN THIS SATURDAY (1 P.M.)

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Fresh off of their mid-season training trip to Puerto Rico, the Bryant University men's and women's swimming teams resume their 2010-11 season this Saturday at the Chace Athletic Center against several opponents.

The men's squad is set to take on St. Francis (NY) and N.J.I.T., while the women will do battle with Siena College and NEC conference opponent St. Francis (NY) 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

Having not competed at home since early December, the Bulldogs will look to carry over their strong performance from 2010 into the New Year. The men's side will lean on senior Steve Nguyen (San Jose, Calif.)  and junior Alex Kosenski (Lavallette, N.J.) to help lead them to victory. Nguyen set the Bryant men's swimming record for the 1000 freestyle event earlier in the year at the URI Invitational on Dec. 3 and currently holds the season's best mark in the 500 freestyle.  Kosenski hopes to improve upon his already team best times in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle that he set earlier this season at the Harold Anderson Invitational.

The women's team hopes for continued success from seasoned swimmer Casey Ostrander (Yarmouthport, Mass.) and freshman standout Taylor DeBever (Denver, Colo.). DeBever resumes her already outstanding freshman campaign, one in which she has already set all-time marks in both the 200 and 500 freestyle events. Ostrander, no stranger to the record books herself with five Bryant women's swimming records to her name, will be vital to the team's success leading up to the conference championships.

The Terriers men's and women's teams come to Smithfield with identical records of 1-3, with the women searching for their first road and conference win of the season in an NEC match-up with the Bulldogs.  

The N.J.I.T. Highlanders head into this weekend searching for their first win of the year when they take on Bryant's men's team. The women's other opponent, Siena College, will arrive on campus brandishing a 6-2 record and will be a tough test for the Black and Gold.