Four Olivet College student-athletes named to 2012 All-MIAA Men's Swimming and Diving Team

OLIVET, Mich. – Four Olivet College student-athletes, juniors Nick Edgar (Lansing/Everett) and Joel Knight (Battle Creek/Lakeview), sophomore Brian Fiorillo (Southgate/Anderson) and freshman Phil Barone, Jr. (Perrysburg, Ohio/St. Francis de Sales), have been named to the 2012 All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) men's swimming and diving team. They helped the Comets finish in third-place at the 2012 MIAA Championships Feb. 15-18 at the Holland Community Aquatic Center.

Edgar finished in second-place in the 100 backstroke, ninth-place in the 200 backstroke and 14th-place in the 50 freestyle. During the prelims of the 100 backstroke, he recorded an NCAA Championships "B" cut with a time of 51.38 seconds. Edgar also swam the backstroke of the first-place 200 medley relay, which broke the school record.

"Nick had an interesting year and a lot of his training had to be altered this year as a result of an injury," said Taber. "He always kept a great attitude and believed he could be great this year. Nick is also a guy who rose to the occasion and was the difference maker with his leadoff leg on the record-setting 200 medley relay."

Knight is earning All-MIAA honors for a second straight season. He placed fourth in the 100 butterfly, ninth in the 200 butterfly and 10th in the 100 backstroke. Knight broke the school record and set an NCAA Championships "B" cut in the prelims of the 100 butterfly with a time of 50.89 seconds.

"Joel is a guy who is so easy to root for," said Taber. "He's always smiling and always finding the positives in what he's doing. Joel is also very determined. Some may have considered his goals for this season lofty but he's an experienced swimmer who knows the sport well. Joel is someone who understands how to make necessary adjustments to both his training and his racing; it was great watching him put together the weekend he did at the MIAA Championships."

Fiorillo won two individual events (50 and 100 freestyle), and swam a leg on three first-place relays (200 and 400 freestyle, and 200 medley). All five times were NCAA Championships "B" cuts. Fiorillo swam the leadoff leg of the freestyle relays, and the anchor leg of the medley relay.

"Brian is a unique talent, he might be the most naturally gifted swimmer we've had here at Olivet," said Taber. "The exciting thing about Brian is that he's still relatively new to the sport and wants to improve. Brian put an outstanding sophomore season together and may only just now be truly realizing his potential in this sport."

Barone, Jr. tied for second in the 100 breaststroke and fourth in the 200 breaststroke. His time in the 100 breaststroke, 57.60 second, was an NCAA Championships "B" cut. He also swam the breaststroke leg of the 200 medley relay.

"It was really rewarding to see Phil put together a nice weekend at the MIAA Championships," said Taber. "Phil was in a car accident two days before his high school state championships last year and has had to endure several surgeries on his knee and another surgery still to come this off season. He's worked very hard and endured a lot of pain unlike anyone else to get to where he was this season. Phil is a guy who has a lot of passion for this sport and knows no boundaries. That edge has been instrumental in his freshman year here at Olivet."

The 2012 NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Championships will take place March 21-24 at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis.