The SUNY Cortland swimming and diving teams are given a new and rare opportunity this season; competing in a newly-formed joint conference championship.
The combined SUNYAC-AMCC (State University of New York Athletic Conference and Alleghany Mountain Collegiate Conference) meet was announced after SUNY Geneseo and SUNY Brockport left SUNYAC for the Empire-8 Conference. With the addition of Alfred State, Penn State Altoona, Penn State Behrend and Pitt-Bradford, the six SUNYAC teams (Cortland, Oneonta, New Paltz, Oswego, Fredonia and Potsdam) will have a new wave of competition.
With these new circumstances in mind, the Red Dragons are gearing up to not only perform well at the meet, but also to fight for the coveted championship. After last season, the women and men’s teams are driving to keep the positive momentum going. Both teams finished in second place overall at the 2024 SUNYAC championships. There were also four Cortland school records broken throughout the season (two in swimming and two in diving).
Men’s team captains Sean Zupko (Sr., Chemistry, ’25) and Mason Rowlands (Sr., Physical Education, ’25) seem optimistic about the season ahead. Both captains are themselves SUNYAC medalists, and have swam on several relays to help the Red Dragons secure valuable points across the four-day meet.
“I’m excited for our new championships”, said Zupko. “We have a mid-season meet at TCNJ which is going to be very exciting, along with our new conference meet at the end of the season.” Zupko continues, “Lots of records could come down this year; individual records that have stood for a long time. The championship meet will be really close. I’m not saying it’s going to be an easy win, but I am confident we are going to be the best.”
Rowlands spoke on being nominated a captain for the 2024-25 season. “It’s great, having the opportunity to lead a group of athletes that have the same goal in mind.” The two also spoke on how the team culture affects their leadership abilities. “Knowing that the team is all on board with how we want to go about this season feels great” said Rowlands. “If we continue, I do feel that Cortland has an opportunity to win a championship meet this year if we continue to work together.”
The main thing that the captains made clear was how much comradery plays into the teams’ success. Rowlands said, “The team is all on board with how we want to go about this season with all knowing that this will be the hardest season, but the most rewarding.” “I love seeing the passion that we have for each other and the drive to win this year,” said Zupko. “With the possibility of winning a championship, we have never been more determined to swim faster than ever before, and I love seeing this collective goal unite us all. Just the support that I have received from my fellow teammates and coaches has been, without a doubt, a major influence on my life.”
The Red Dragons will have their first dual meet of the season against the University of Rochester on Oct. 26th. With their drive focused ahead, the women and men are going to be after something special this season. Keep alert; this season will be one to keep an eye out for.