FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU swimming and diving team is set to face off in a two-day season-opening dual meet this Friday, Oct. 6, and Saturday, Oct. 7, versus Big Ten foe Rutgers at the FGCU Aquatics Center.
 
Action commences on Friday at 4 p.m., with Saturday's events getting underway at 11 a.m. Admission is free, and the complete event schedule for both days is at the end of this release.
 
A season ago, Rutgers turned in points at the NCAA Championships. The Eagles and Scarlett Knights have become familiar with each other after competing at each of the last two FGCU Classics. FGCU claimed 466 points last year in that event, while Rutgers registered 364.
 
The Eagles return reigning CCSA Swimmer of the Year Christina Kaas Elmgreen (Charlottenlund, Denmark/Ordrup Gymnasium), CSCAA All-American Gracie Redding (Orlando, Fla./The First Academy) and several others to a veteran squad that consists of 17 upperclassmen.
 
FGCU welcomes five freshmen to the roster in 2017-18, in addition to Nevada transfer Antonia Baerens (Ottobrunn, Germany/Max-Josef-Stift Gymnasium), as they look to help FGCU capture its ninth conference championship in the last 10 years.
 
"We definitely have a new look to the team this year; we have some new faces but we have a lot of good returning members. It's exciting to see everyone coming together and working hard for the same goal," commented head coach Dave Rollins. "Rutgers has sent swimmers to NCAAs the last few years and scored points. We stack very well with them, so it should be a competitive meet which is really exciting to get the season started."
 
Both teams have already competed in inter-squad scrimmages this season. FGCU broke 10 different meet records in the Green-Blue Scrimmage last Saturday, including two from both Elizabeth Zeiger (Cumberland, R.I./Home Schooled) and Doris Eichhorn (Berlin, Germany/ HTW Berlin).
 
A season ago in Rollins' first season with the Green and Blue, he led the team to a 12-3 record and helped FGCU register points for the fourth-straight season at the NCAA Championships, finishing tied for 41st – the 3rd-best in program history. In 2014, the Eagles finished in 32nd, and in 2015 they posted a program-best 26th-place finish.
 
The meet with Rutgers is scheduled to be the first of five home duals of the season as the Eagles will also welcome fellow Big Ten member Northwestern (Dec. 17), Toledo (Dec. 21) CCSA rival Liberty (Jan. 6) and in-state foe FIU (Jan. 27).
 
Following the matchup with Rutgers, FGCU will dive into CCSA action on Oct. 21 when it travels to Jacksonville for a tri meet opposite North Florida and Campbell.
 
Event Schedule – Day 1
200 Medley Relay
1650 Free
50 Free
200 Fly
100 Back
200 Free
200 IM
200 Breast
400 Free Relay
 
Event Schedule – Day 2
400 Medley Relay
500 Free
100 Fly
200 Back
100 Free
100 Breast
400 IM
200 Free Relay
 
IRMA RELIEF DONATIONS
In the wake of Hurricane Irma, many individuals and families throughout Southwest Florida are still in desperate need of assistance. To aid in those relief efforts, FGCU Athletics will be collecting donations at all Eagle home games for the immediate future. Donation items most needed include: non-perishable food, clothing, household items and first-aid supplies. Additionally, those unable to attend upcoming home games can drop off donations in canisters located in the Alico Arena lobby. All donations will be given to those hardest hit in Lee and Collier counties.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-date coverage of FGCU women's swimming and diving, follow us on Twitter @FGCU_WSWIM and visit www.FGCUAthletics.com where full recaps and results will be available.
                                                                     
HEAD COACH DAVE ROLLINS
Entering his second season at the helm of the Green and Blue, Dave Rollins became the FGCU head coach on Sept. 1, 2016. In his first year with the program, Rollins led the Eagles to its eighth CCSA Championship in a span of nine years and guided the Eagles 200 free relay team to All-American honors. FGCU registered points at the NCAA Championships for the fourth straight season and ultimately turned in its third-best finish all-time (T-41st). Prior to FGCU, Rollins was the associate head men's swimming coach at The Ohio State University and brought 10 years of coaching experience at the club, high school and collegiate levels. A standout collegiate athlete in his own right, Rollins was a nine-time NCAA All-American and national champion as a member of the University of Arizona swimming & diving team from 2002-06.
 
SUPPORT THE CAUSE
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.