At noon today, the Georgia men’s swimming and diving team begins its NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships meet at Texas A&M University in College Station.

The meet will last three days, with prelims held at noon and finals at 7 p.m. each day.

The biggest question surrounding the men’s team at the outset of this year was how it would replace its three individual champions from last year’s NCAA competition: Sebastian Rouault (500 and 1,650-yard freestyle), Gil Stovall (200-yard butterfly) and Chris Colwill (1-meter diving). However, the men’s team has found a new trio to rely on in Neil Versfeld, Troyden Prinsloo, and Mark Dylla.

“We are looking forward to this meet,” head coach Jack Bauerle said in a release. “Our challenge to our men was to contend for a top 10 finish after losing three of the top male athletes we’ve ever had here in Chris, [Sebastian] and Gil. I think with Troy, Neil and Mark, we have good firepower and we have to be on our A-game to make that happen. I feel confident we can swim pretty well. If we are in good shape going into the last day we feel like we can do some damage.”

Versfeld’s NCAA record time in the 200-yard breaststroke, along with the help of Prinsloo and Dylla, who were national runners-up in last year’s competition, should help propel the team toward its goal of a top 10 finish. Georgia will especially rely on Versfeld, who sat out last year as he redshirted in preparation for the summer Olympics in Beijing.

Much like the women’s team, the men’s team has several underclassmen who look to gain valuable experience from this year’s NCAA Championships meet. Of the Bulldogs’ 10-man roster, only four have previous NCAA Championship experience: Seniors Chris Spooner and Neil Versfeld, junior Troyden Prinsloo, and sophomore Mark Dylla. Georgia will rely on its leadership in their quest for a top 10 finish.

“It’s been a fun men’s team this season,” Bauerle said. “They have worked hard this season. And three freshmen that have made it, so having those guys here will be good experience for them.”