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Mount St. Mary's - Official Announcement

Mount St. Mary's University announced the expansion of its NCAA Division I athletics program through the addition of men's swimming and diving.  The team will compete as an independent beginning with the upcoming 2016-17 academic year. 

The announcement was made by Mount St. Mary's University President Simon P. Newman at the Mount's annual sports hall of fame induction ceremony held on January 30.  Men's swimming and diving becomes the 17th NCAA Division I sport at the Mount, encompassing 17 teams and 315 student-athletes.

"Mount St. Mary's has one of the longest traditions of sports excellence of any member of the NCAA, excellence that is measured in terms of meeting the highest standards of sportsmanship and student-athlete success in addition to games and championships won," said Simon P. Newman   "We are expanding upon that strong foundation. College athletics play an integral role in the university experience of athletes and spectators alike.   I am extremely proud of our athletics program and fully committed to its continued growth and development." 

Neil Yost, the Mount's first and only women's swimming coach at the Mount, will also serve as the head coach for the men's swimming and diving program.  In his 11th season at the Mount, Yost has posted a 53-40 dual meet record in his career. 

"President Newman has done us a great honor being the first step in the growth of our athletics department and the Mount campus as a whole," said Yost. "We welcome the challenge of having a team ready for competition this fall, and am confident that our coaching staff and the admissions department will make it happen."

Yost has coached individuals to three First Team All-NEC honors, five Second Team All-NEC selections and six Third Team All-NEC honors, as well as one Second Team relay and one Third Team relay.

"This is a wonderful development for Mount St. Mary's University," said Mount St. Mary's Athletic Director Lynne Robinson. "We have been energized by the positive feedback we have already received about our new men's swimming program, and we are thrilled to welcome the first members of the inaugural men's swimming team when they arrive in the fall of 2016."

 "Mount St. Mary's adding a men's swimming program bodes well for the future and shows the enhanced stature and value that an intercollegiate swim team brings to a college," said USA Swimming Executive Director Chuck Wielgus. "Swimmers are some of the highest-achieving, motivated students on campus and continue that success into their professional careers."

Mount St. Mary's University in Maryland is the nation's second-oldest Catholic university, with an award-winning student life program, more than 40 majors and minors to choose from and 17 Division I athletic teams. 

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