Fifty swimming team candidates offially went into the water for the first time yesterday afternoon, in preparation for what swimming coach Harold S. Ulen hopes will be one of the best seasons in recent years.

Among the prospects for this year's squad were six veterans from the '42 Varsity as well as members of last winter's Freshman team. Backing up Varsity captain Bill Drucker will be John Eusden, Bus Curwen, Anton Myrer, George Christman, and Dave Bernes, all of last year's team.

This fall the mermen will be divided into a Varsity and Junior Varsity, the former Freshman squad being abandoned since first-year men may now participate in Varsity athletics.

Speaking to the hopefuls on the first day, Coach Ulen said, "We are now going into a phase of life where the more you push, the better off you'll be."