The SMU Classic

Friday, Oct. 6 (6 p.m.) - Saturday, Oct. 7 (11 a.m.)

Robson & Lindley Aquatics Center and Barr-McMillion Natatorium - Dallas, TX

Pony Up TV | Meet Mobile App

SMU Notes | ASUN

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

SMU App (Google Play | Apple App Store)

DALLAS (SMU) – There were moments last summer when the Robson & Lindley Aquatics Center felt a little empty to Angus Corbeau. 

As part of offseason workouts created by the SMU men's swimming and diving staff, some athletes remained in Dallas for self-directed training. Unfortunately, the numbers during the 2022 summer were a little low as different priorities pulled athletes in a variety of directions. 

Fast forward to the summer 2023, and things were vastly different. 

"I think this summer that we must have doubled or even tripled with the number of swimmers we had stayed back here in Dallas and kept training with us," Corbeau said. "Every coach's training style is a little bit different and so I think more people staying behind and training with (head coach Greg Rhodenbaugh) here in Dallas this summer definitely sets us up well. We have some momentum now going into the fall."

Fresh off a third straight American Athletic Conference title, the Mustangs come into the 2023-24 season looking to take the next step forward as a program. 

Returning graduate student Colin Feehery headlines the returners. The reigning AAC Co-Swimmer of the Year represented the program at the NCAA Championships last year in 200 breaststroke, 400 IM and 200 IM. 

Diving alum Peter Smithson was the team's other NCAA qualifier, competing in the 3-meter and 1-meter diving competitions.

Head men's and women's diving coach Darian Schmidt is in his seventh season leading the diving program and has earned Men's Diving Coach of the Year honors in the American Athletic Conference in all six of his past seasons. 

"I think using that momentum from NCAAs for this year will really help," Schmidt said. "We've always set our goals pretty high. I think this group is awesome. I think this is one of the best teams of character that we've had in recent years."

Last season, several other individual athletes earned NCAA B Standards, placing them just shy of qualifying for the championship event. Being on the cusp was a good position to be in last year. This season, the Mustangs want more.  

"For anybody on the swim team, the end goal is to reach the NCAA to represent yourself and your team," said sophomore Sage Sungail. He earned a B Standard time in the 500 free and won the AAC titles in the 200 free and 800 free.  

"A-cut, that is the goal for us. Because once you get an A-cut, you can bring all the B-cuts," Sungail said. "That is our goal this year is to bring those relays and get as many people to NCAAs as possible. There's a lot of things that need to be perfect, but the talent is here. We just have to finish and execute it."

That's why the summer-long commitment to training in Dallas has been so important. 

Now entering his fifth season leading the program, Rhodenbaugh has watched his athletes navigate difficult offseason circumstances in recent years. Between the transition to a new coaching staff and Olympic Trial training, the SMU offseasons under his watch prior to 2023 have been inconsistent at best. 

This summer, around 20 of the 25 returners stayed on campus to train, while several of the incoming transfers and freshmen also joined the group.

Since preseason workouts began, Rhodenbaugh has been able to see firsthand the strides his team has made this summer. They are faster, bonded and focused on achieving collective and individual goals. 

That growth will be tested early as the Mustangs start the year at home this weekend with the SMU Classic, featuring four teams that finished the year ranked among the top 25 in the nation and a fifth that was receiving votes. 

"We had a really good recruiting year and we've got some really good experience coming in to add to the experience we've been able to develop over the last three seasons," Rhodenbaugh said. "We just have a lot of people who have really developed and it's fun to do that. That's why we do this – to develop people and they're having a lot of fun doing it together." 

SMU opens the season on the weekend of Oct. 6 by hosting the annual SMU Classic. The meet is set to begin at 6 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday. Louisville, Auburn, Missouri, USC and Texas will be participating along with the Mustangs.