CLEVELAND, Miss. -- The Delta State men's and women's swimming and diving teams open their 2017-2018 campaign this week, as they take on Alabama Friday at the DSU Aquatics Center.  This year marks the fifth consecutive time the squad faces the Division I foe to start the season; Friday's contest will also be one of the nation's first intercollegiate swimming and diving competitions of the year.
 
On the men's side, Delta State will look to build off last year's runner-up finish in the New South Intercollegiate Swim Conference and eighth place performance at the NCAA Division II Championships.  Graduating only three members from last spring's national team, the Statesmen will add an astounding 16 new athletes to their 2017-2018 roster.
 
The list of returners is highlighted by sprinting standout, Mattia Schirru.  The junior from Italy is undefeated in the 100 and 200-yard freestyle events at the NSISC Championships, winning consecutive titles in both during his first two seasons as a Statesman.  Schirru finished second in the 50 and 100-yard free at the 2017 NCAA Championships and is already a nine-time All-American; he also holds all ten fastest times in school history in both sprint events.
 
"I'm very excited about this season," said Schirru, who was elected as a team captain this season.  "My goal is always the same one: to lead my team to victory in conference.  I want to come back to Delta State as a national champion, because I think this school deserves it."
 
Joining Schirru on the list of returners from the last year's NCAA squad is senior Cody Lavoie, as well as juniors Adam Charlton, Gabriel Miranda, Nathan Sawicki, and Keith Lloyd.
 
A four-time Honorable Mention All-American and two-time school record holder, Sawicki will look to win his third straight NSISC championship in the 1650-yard freestyle.  Lloyd, a native of The Bahamas, returns to campus after winning his country's national championship in the 200-meter butterfly over the summer.
 
The Statesmen will also depend on a veteran group of divers, which includes all four NCAA qualifiers from last season.  Sophomore Kyle Weesner aims to defend his conference crowns in the 1-meter and 3-meter events.  After finishing second to Weesner in both disciplines at the 2017 conference meet, senior Bill Ashwell looks to make his third straight NCAA appearance.  Senior Eli McBride and junior Nic Martin also have the opportunity to make their third consecutive trip to nationals.
 
"This season is already shaping up to be a good one for DSU diving," said Ashwell.  "All of the returning divers are already well ahead of where we were at this time last season.  Everyone is showing really great potential, as well as a fantastic attitude every day.  I'm very excited for this season and what it holds for all of us as a team and individuals."
 
While the men's squad is built on experience, the opposite is true on the women's side.  The team lost 10 athletes from last year's roster, including seven NCAA All-Americans.  Signing nine newcomers during the offseason, the Lady Statesmen will rely heavily on young talent as they attempt to improve on their 2017 NSISC runner-up finish.
 
The Lady Statesmen are led by junior Caroline Jouisse, who looks to follow up on an impressive debut season that saw her capture all three distance freestyle events at conference.  Already a multiple school record holder, the junior transfer from France finished third in the 500, 1000, and 1650 free at the NCAA Championships.
 
"Every season is new and different" said Jouisse.  "Last year was my first one, so every time I jumped in the water, it seemed like I was better than the previous meet.  This year will be more difficult for me, but I really enjoy swimming as a team and not just for myself.  It gives me more motivation, and as a captain this year, I'm trying my best to make my teammates feel the same thing."
 
Junior Celina Batsel and sophomore Hannah Hummer look to join Jouisse on consecutive NCAA squads.  After multiple podium finishes at last year's conference meet, both Batsel and Hummer will be invaluable point scorers for the Lady Statesmen, both in individual events and on relays.
 
"I really believe in this team," said Jouisse.  "I think we can do some awesome stuff.  Every one of us has something to bring to the team, and all together we can be strong and make good things happen."
 
On the boards, two-time school record holder Hailey Leonard aims to make her third national team.  The senior from Florida placed third on 1-meter at last year's NSISC Championships.  Sophomore Kenzie Blomquist and Casey Moore also have the opportunity to make consecutive NCAA appearances.
 
"Practice has been going great," said assistant coach and head diving coach, Kyle Friesenhahn.  "The divers have been working hard to get their list back or to get their list strong enough to be competitive.  The goal is to get as many people to nationals as possible and to push for a conference championship."
 
The Delta State swimming and diving schedule features seven home meets, including the first-ever Delta Dive Invitational and the team's annual Christmas Invite.  The schedule culminates with the NSISC Championships February 21-24, which will once again be held at the DSU Aquatics Center.