The Bulls swimming and diving squad finished their 1999-2000 season with a 7-3 dual meet mark and 5-2 record in the extremely tough Mid-American Conference. This season, head coach Budd Termin looks to a young group to improve on the Bulls' sixth place finish at last year's MAC finals.

UB opens the season with 14 squad members, but only seven who have collegiate experience. The Bulls were hit hard by graduation in 2000 with swimmers Dan Hickey, Kevin Kelly, John Nilles and diver Dave Sofer among those to depart.

"We lost fifty percent of all our points to graduation," said Termin as he begins his 14th season at the helm of the Bulls' program.

However, Termin doesn't look at the 2000-2001 season as a rebuilding year but as a time to reload.

"We've maintained a consistent level of performance, not only in the Mid-American Conference, but at the national level and I fully expect this year's team to continue with that kind of tradition."

Termin's squad will be carried by a quartet of seniors who will have to provide the leadership and experience to pace the young group through the season. "We'll be looking for these kids to improve on their performances from last year and we expect them to swim at the top of the conference," said Termin. "As juniors they already did that."

Leading the way for the Bulls will be Josh Pun (Edmonton, Alb.). Pun will be expected to head UB's butterfliers and was one of 15 MAC swimmers to attain an Olympic Trial time. Pun took his success from last season home with him to his native Canada where he qualified for trials in three events, the 100 fly, 200 fly and 200 free, prior to the Sydney games. During those trials he set lifetime best marks.

"Josh had a terrific season last year and we were able to improve on his long course time in the 200 fly," said Termin.

Another butterflier to watch this season will be senior Dexter Tatum (Gainesville, GA). Tatum won the consolation 200 fly in a lifetime best of 1:53.22.

Backstroker Eric Stimson (North Tonawanda, NY) returns with strong credentials. Stimson won the 200 backstroke at last season's ECAC championships and placed fourth in the MAC championships. "Eric is the fourth backstroker in UB history to win the backstroke at the ECAC championships," said Termin. "We've held the record over ten years with four different swimmers and even though Eric didn't beat Korry Miller's record, he's still the defending champion."

Jason McLachlan (Arvada, CO) rounds out the senior contingent. McLachlan finished sixth in the 200 backstroke and eighth in the 400 individual medley at last season's MAC championships. A consistent performer, McLachlan set the school record of 4:01.45 in the preliminary round of last year's MAC 400 IM. "Three times last year he broke his 400 IM UB school record," stated Termin.

Of his returning contingent, Termin remarked, "In their prime events, they're some of the best in the Mid-American returning."

Returning for their sophomore seasons are backstroker Tony Lizauckas (Kenmore, NY) and freestyler Mike Szyprowski (Grand Island, NY).

The Bulls also expect a season from their divers. "Diving has been on the rise," said Termin. "We scored more points in the conference meet in diving than in the last five years."

With the departure of Sofer, sophomore Mike Lampo (Frewsburg, NY) becomes the elder statesman of the diving corps. Lampo completed his first season with the Bulls placing 16th on the one-meter board. "Mike Lampo has the distinction of being one of the few freshmen to score points in the conference championship," said Termin. "It's very hard for freshmen in diving at the Mid-American Conference level to break in in the first year."

Also joining the Bulls diving team are freshmen Dave Farmer (Grand Island, NY) and Jim Taravella (Orchard Park, NY). "We added two quality divers in Dave Farmer, a junior national qualifier in platform, and Jim Taravella, one of the top divers in the area," said Termin. "We feel we have three divers that could make an impact in the scoring for us."

Termin's "kiddie corps" of freshmen include freestylers Kevin Kototwski (Wilmington, DE) and Peter Zeitler (Amherst, NY), backstroker Andrew Kouzan (Schenectady, NY), Alan Lowe (Brownsville, TX) who should see action in both the freestyle and butterfly events, and Jimmy Mulvey (Monroe-Woodbury, NY), a breaststroke/IM specialist.

"While we have quite a few new faces, we'll expect them to step up and put it on the board just like we've had everybody else who's come into our program," said Termin. "I think they have the talent and ability to do that."

Teaching has always been a Termin trademark and with such a young program, the Alumni Natatorium may look more like a classroom than swimming pool. "It's going to take a little while for the kids to get seasoned and we swim a tough schedule," said Termin. "In the beginning they'll be nervous and excited at the same time. These are like the quizzes before the final exam. We'll make sure they do well on their quizzes, so that they can ace the finals [the MAC championships]." said Termin.

"Through the training period of September and October, these kids have gotten on board and shown some fantastic things," said Termin. "Once these kids get meet experience, I think we'll have the ability to swim with anybody in the Mid-American Conference."