CLEVELAND, Miss. -- The Delta State men's and women's swimming and diving teams open their 2018-2019 campaign this week, as they take on the University of Alabama on Friday at the Alabama Aquatics Center.  This year marks the sixth 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.
 
Head Coach Dan'l Murray is excited for the start of the season. "We are looking forward to beginning the season in Tuscaloosa.  Both teams have been practicing for a few weeks and it will be our first opportunity for everyone to build towards our team goals this season.  Our program strives to find the very best competition possible each year and Alabama will certainly provide us with top level competition."  
 
On the men's side, Delta State will look to build off last year's championship in the New South Intercollegiate Swim Conference and ninth place performance at the NCAA Division II Championships.  Graduating only four members from last spring's national team, the Statesmen will add 12 new athletes to their 2018-2019 roster.
 
The list of returners is highlighted by sprinting standout, Mattia Schirru.  The senior from Italy is undefeated in the 100 freestyle events at the NSISC Championships, winning consecutive titles in both during his first three seasons as a Statesman. Schirru finished fourth in the 50 and third in the 100-yard free at the 2018 NCAA Championships and is already a 11-time All-American.
 
Joining Schirru on the list of returners from the last year's NCAA squad is sophomore Giulio Brugnoni, as well as seniors Adam Charlton, Gabriel Miranda, Nathan Sawicki, and Kohen Kerr 
 
After an incredible freshman campaign, Giulio Brugnoni is back to swim for his second season for the green and white. The Italian already has plenty of hardware. He took home second place in the 100-Backstroke (46.48) at the NCAA Championships last year. In the NSISC Championships he snagged wins in the 200-Backstroke, 100-Backstroke, 100-Butterfly, and the 200 medley relay.
 
A five-time Honorable Mention All-American and two-time school record holder, Sawicki will look to win his fourth straight NSISC championship in the 1650-yard freestyle.  Kohen returns after swimming for his native Bahamas this 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 regain his conference crowns in the 1-meter and 3-meter events after finishing fourth and second last season. Weesner did rebound to finish 13^thin the 1-meter diving at the NCAA Championships. Senior Nic Martin also has the opportunity to make his fourth consecutive trip to nationals.
  
Last season the Lady Statesmen did not have that much returning talent. This season the Lady Statesmen have reloaded.  The team only lost one diver from last year's roster.  Signing seven newcomers during the offseason, the Lady Statesmen will rely heavily on young talent as they attempt to improve on their 2018 NSISC third place finish.
 
The Lady Statesmen are led by sophomore Lucia Martelli who had a breakout freshman season. She had a pair of top ten finishes in the 2018 NCAA Championships. She finished seventh in the 100-Butterfly and eighth in the 200-Butterfly. At the NSISC Championships Martelli claim 200-Butterfly crown. Martelli's victory in the 200-Butterfly saw her break the DSU Aquatic Center (2:01.57), and the NSISC records (2:02.05). The previous Aquatic Center record was set in 2002.
 
 Senior Caroline Jouisse, looks to finish her career in style for the Green and White. Already a multiple school record holder, the senior from France finished third in the 500, 1000, and 1650 free at the NCAA Championships in 2017. 

Seniors Celina Batsel and Sierra Rhodes look to join Jouisse on consecutive NCAA squads.  After multiple podium finishes at last year's conference meet, both Batsel and Rhodes will be invaluable point scorers for the Lady Statesmen, both in individual events and on relays.
 
On the boards, the Lady Statesmen lost two-time school record holder Hailey Leonard who graduated last year. Leading the team to the diving platform will be Junior Kenzie Blomquist and Sophomore Sara Andrews who both have the opportunity to make consecutive NCAA appearances.
  
The Delta State swimming and diving schedule features five home meets, including the first-ever Delta Dive Invitational and the team's annual Christmas Invite.  The schedule culminates with the NSISC Championships February 20-23, which will once again be held at the DSU Aquatics Center.