2010-11 PAC Swimming and Diving Preview



BETHANY BISON

 

With several returning swimmers from last year and numerous newcomers to add depth and talent to both rosters, the Bethany College men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs are bringing an excited attitude into the 2010-11 season.

The Bison, who competed for the first time last weekend at the Pitt-Bradford Relays, will begin its dual meet schedule this weekend by hosting Penn State Behrend. Now in his 31st season at the helm of the BC programs, head coach John McGowan says the preseason has everyone picking up right where they left off last year.

“We have been working really hard so far and had some really pleasant surprises,” said McGowan. “There is a new energy with everyone, which I think is due in part to more numbers. We’ve had a couple PRs already and others are approaching the times they finished with last year at PAC Championships, so we are already well ahead of last year’s pace.”

The BC men’s team is especially benefitting from the larger squad size, as they come into the new season with a dozen on a roster that features just two seniors and one junior. The veterans of the team are seniors Patrick McCarthy (Lititz, Pa./Manheim Twp.), who may finish up with school in December, and Richard Sawyer (right) (New York, N.Y./Central Park East), who will be a captain for this year’s team. The lone junior is Jared Patrick (McMechen, W.Va./John Marshall), who just transferred to Bethany and hasn’t been in the pool competitively for awhile, but he is getting back into shape very quickly.

“Both Rich and Patrick are swimming very well so far,” said McGowan. “Rich will be one of our top Freestylers and Flyers and last week, his 100 Fly was just a half-second slower than what he posted at PACs last year. Patrick is one of our top breaststrokers and sprinters and is also approaching his times from the conference meet.

“Jared is a transfer who has not swum in two years,” said McGowan. “He is a good flyer and freestyler and as he rounds into shape, he will team with Rich to give us two good flyers.”

The sophomores who are back for the Bison include Vinnie Giangiulio (King of Prussia, Pa./Upper Merion), who will team with freshmen Zak Cofini (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) and Jon Gray (Strongsville, Ohio) to give Bethany solid depth on the diving boards, while Andy Masterson (Bedford, N.H./Manchester West) will see a change in events due to his performance at PACs last winter.

“Vinnie is one of the better divers in the PAC and with Zak and Jon, they will make diving one of our stronger events,” said McGowan. “Last year, we had Andy in mostly freestyle events, but he did well in the IM at Championships last year, so we’ll give him more work in that event this year.”

Other newcomers for Bethany this season include sophomores Atraile Brown (Virginia Beach, Va./Tallwood) and Jonathan Miller (Bedford, N.H./Manchester West) and freshmen Sam Breitenstein (Mohnton, Pa./Gov. Mifflin), Derrick Craddock (Baltimore, Md./Baltimore Polytechnic Institute) and Jacob Shivetts (Greensburg, Pa./Greater Latrobe) and their presence will give the Bison one of their deeper teams.

“With Andy moving to the IM, we are looking to slide Jacob into his spot in the distance events,” said McGowan. “Derrick will work in the breaststroke and freestyle events and could end up being one of our top breaststrokers. We also think Sam will be a breaststroker and could fill in at other spots. We are still working with Atraile and Jonathan to see where they could fit in and they will provide depth for our relays.

“The numbers on our men’s team give us a lot more options for the line-up this year and will give us depth across all events,” said McGowan.

While the men’s team is comprised of mostly new faces, the women’s team has a host of returning swimmers. Highlighting the veterans are junior Sara Reass (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North) and senior Cynthia Richardson (left) (Moody, Ala./Moon Twp.-Pa.), who are both serving as captains, and sophomore Liz Rubash (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills),

“Liz should do very well in the sprints and IM this year,” said McGowan. “She missed a portion of last year, but now with a whole year of work, we think she’ll have a shot at some individual records. Sara is already hitting her same times from PACs last year in practice this season, so she should be due for a good year in the distance events. And Cynthia is our backstroker, as well as a top swimmer in the IM. She has improved every year and I don’t see why that won’t continue.”

The BC women are also boosted by four other returning swimmers from last year, although junior Sarah Atkins (Heath, Ohio) is currently rehabbing from an injury and is unavailable until later in the season. McGowan says junior Jennifer Briskey (Dublin, Ohio/Davidson) has been a big surprise this season, while sophomore Theresa Smith (Oakdale, Pa./Chartiers Valley) will do a little of everything and senior Marissa Perelstine (Upper St. Clair, Pa.) is another one who has nearly reached her top times from last year already.

“We are really anxious to see Jennifer in action this year in the breaststroke and IM,” said McGowan. “She didn’t get to finish last season because of an academic conflict, but is doing very well and has gone from being one of our subs to one of our top performers. Theresa is good in the fly and sprints, but can also dive. She’ll be diving a little more this year and that may cause her to lose a little in the pool, but she’ll still be a top person for us in the relays, as well as the freestyles and butterfly.

“Also back for us is Marissa, who is already approaching her PRs in the back and free and Sara is still rehabbing from injuries, so we hope she can come back later this year, “said McGowan.


Four newcomers join the Bethany roster this winter, including sophomore transfer Melissa Davis (Lancaster, Ohio), who is still finishing up cross country season, and freshmen Brittny Duell (Massillon, Ohio/Perry), Katrina Miller (Avella, Pa.) and Katie Woeckener (Conover, N.C./St. Stephen).

“We are waiting for cross country to finish before we get Melissa, a transfer from WVU, and she could be one of top freestylers and flyers,” said McGowan. “Brittny will be in the back and freestyle events and is also a dual-sport athlete who played tennis. She’s only been with us a couple weeks, but has already reached the regional times she swam in high school. We are looking for Katrina to be one of our breaststrokers and Katie is just starting to work her way in and could settle in as our #2 distance swimmer.

The larger numbers, as well as the youth of this year’s rosters means brighter days are ahead for the Bison, especially if they continue to work as hard as they have to this point.

“The bigger numbers on our roster has us excited for the year,” said McGowan. “Both are very young rosters with a lot of ‘13s and ‘14s for graduating years, so there will be an adjustment period, but we see a lot of potential as a group as long as we keep working as hard as we have been.”


 

CHATHAM COUGARS


The Cougars are returning for the 2010-2011 Swimming and Diving season with a seasoned group of veterans. Led by PAC 100 backstroke champion, Chelsea Mummert, 200 backstroke finalist, Carly Hicks, and 100 and 200 fly consol finalist, Sarah Sindler and school record holder in the 1m diving, Katie Lucas. Chatham expects to do well in both the dual meets season and the PAC/GCC Invitational. Returners include Selina Breiner finalist 200 breast and consol winner 100 breast, Lyndsay Minnich finalist in the 200 fly and consol 100 fly, Gwen Utz consol finalist 1 and 3m diving. Incoming first years include Lauren Burrows who will add depth in the distance, free and backstroke, Jasmine McCurdy fly and freestyle, Christina Habrahamshon in the fly and the backstroke. Head coach Mike Meyers is also expecting great things from junior Annelies Layton and sophomore Sachelle Taylor.
 

 


GROVE CITY WOLVERINES



SAINT VINCENT BEARCATS

 

Experienced is the best term to describe both the men’s and women’s swimming teams as they enter the 2010-11 season.

The Bearcat men’s team returns in tact from the 2009-10 campaign, while the Lady Bearcats return 13 of 14 swimmers from a season ago, including seven school-record holders.

 

“I am extremely excited about the upcoming season,” said sixth-year head coach Josh Gurekovich.  “We have a team that is basically intact from last year, and we’ve added several talented freshmen on both teams.  The team is working very hard in the water right now, and is excited to get into the competition season.”

 

On the men’s side, sophomores Logan Dorminey and Tom Nielsen highlight the returnees.  Dorminey improved throughout the 2009-10 campaign in mid-distance sprints, culminated with a school-record setting time of 1:49.70 at the PAC Championships. Nielsen was the team’s top backstroke specialist last year, setting the team record in the 100 (56.72) in just his third collegiate meet.

 

Senior Adam Hodnichak looks to anchor the team’s distance events, and is another swimmer who has consistently improved throughout his career.  Another senior, Troy Linebaugh, looks to be the team’s top sprinter, while the Bearcats will welcome back junior Zach Krejdovsky after missing the duration of last season with a back injury. 

 

Juniors Kreighton Long, Adam Thomas, and Kyle Anderson have all seen significant experience in the Freestyle events, while Thomas has also been solid in the Back and Anderson in the Breast.

 

Freshman Sam Cline has impressed in preseason workouts, and will be counted upon as a top distance specialist and in the Individual Medley, while Matt Linebaugh, younger brother of Troy, should step in and be a top contributor at both the Freestyle and Fly sprints.

 

Last season, the Bearcats were decimated through injuries throughout, finishing with a 1-7 dual record and fifth at the season-ending PAC/AMCC meet hosted by Grove City, but Gurekovich thinks that his depth will improve significantly this season.

 

“The men had a strong year,” said the coach, “despite dealing with several injuries that reduced the team to 10 by the end of the year.  This year, they are looking to improve the win/loss record significantly, and they have their eyes set on the Saint Vincent record book.”

 

Sophomore sprint specialist Katie Custer highlights the returnees for the Lady Bearcats, after recording the highest-ever finish for an SVC swimmer at the PAC Championships with a second-place performance in the 50 Free, establishing a new school record with a time of 24.53.

In all, Custer set school marks in the 50 and 100 Free (53.94) and 100 Fly (59.95), while she was part of record-setting relay squads in the 200 Free, 400 Free, 200 Medley, and 400 Medley.

 

Another sophomore, Mary Kate Kenna, returns after exploding onto the scene with a solid freshman year.  A Freestyle and Butterfly specialist, Kenna established new school marks in the 200 (2:20.22) and 400 (4:57.09) IM’s, and was part of the school-record 800 Free Relay squad. 

Junior Jess Kennedy has also enjoyed a highly-decorated career for the Lady Bearcats up to this point, setting school records at the PAC Championship in both the 200 Free (2:02.52) and 100 Back (1:04.00) and taking part in record-setting relay performances alongside Custer in the 200 Free, 400 Free, 200 Medley, and 400 Medley.

 

Junior Breaststroke specialist Christine Dunleavy has been another stalwart for the Lady Bearcats over the past two seasons, owning the team record in the 100 Breast (1:11.45) and contributing to the 200 and 400 Medley relay records.

 

Other key returnees for the women’s squad include sophomore distance specialist Jayna Cline, junior sprinter Maggie Demspey, senior Freestyle and Fly specialist Amanda Haile, and junior sprinter Hayley Krol, who doubles as a defender on the SVC women’s soccer team.

With so many valuable returnees, Gurekovich has his sights set high for the Lady Bearcats in 2010.

 

“We feel that this could be the first year the women have a meet record over .500,” the coach said.  “They have set a team goal of breaking at least 15 team records, and they want to finish in the top half of the PAC standings.”

 

Both Bearcat swim teams will kick off the 2010 PAC schedule on November 6th, traveling to perennial power Grove City College. 

 


WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON PRESIDENTS


After back-to-back third-place finishes at the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championships, the Washington & Jefferson College men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams are determined to once again battle for the top spot this winter.

In his 23rd season at the helm of W&J’s swimming and diving program, Head Coach Mike Orstein returns key performers on both squads who will look to spark the Presidents to new heights. Washington & Jefferson hopes to build upon last season’s finish which featured nine school records as well as two conference marks.

Leading the way on the men’s side is senior Brandon Smith and junior Michael Boutwell. Boutwell won the 1650 freestyle conference crown with a time of 16:42.71 in last year’s PAC Championship. He also set school record in the 1000 freestyle at 10:00.98. Boutwell returns looking to make it a third year in a row he’s set a school record. He broke the 500 freestyle mark in 2009 (4:39.67).

Smith is a veteran swimmer who has captured four conference championships, including a pair of 200 backstroke titles. He has placed among the top three finishers at the conference championships 19 times.

The 400 freestyle relay team, comprised of Smith, classmate Christian Larson and juniors Andy Rish and Jonathan Weeks placed third at last season’s PAC Championship and smashed a school record that stood for 12 years with a time of 3:11.18. Larson also broke a decade-long school record with his leadoff 100 freestyle time of 47.28, while Weeks earned Third Team All-PAC laurels in the 200 butterfly (1:58.70). Rish established a new 100 backstroke school mark (53.97).

Joining Smith and Larson as the other two of the four seniors on the team are James Falis and Max Mock. Orstein will rely on the duo for leadership and depth this season. The W&J men have plenty of experience, as 11 of the 18 swimmers will be upper-classmen. Junior Keyton Kalakewich also showed plenty of promise last season and will be counted on even more in 2010-11.

The Presidents’ women are searching for their 20th consecutive winning dual-meet season. Since 2004, W&J has produced a 78-12 dual-meet record. In addition, the W&J men have garnered 12-straight winning dual-meet seasons.

Junior Bethany Haver has had plenty to do with that success and is back after collecting two conference titles in February. Haver set a conference record in the 3-meter diving event with 431.65 points and was selected as the PAC Diver of the Year. Have also claimed the 3-meter title as a freshman and has amassed conference record point totals in all three of her championships.

Sophomore Katlin Dagg returns after tying for the 200 butterfly title last season with a time of 2:08.66. Dagg, whose time qualified her for the NCAA “B” Cut, is expected to compete for multiple conference titles this winter. Junior Brittany Vogel is also back to defend her conference title in the 200 backstroke. She won last year’s crown with a time of 2:09.28.

Team captain, senior Kyra Fedorovich and classmate Jaclyn Andrews are the only seniors on a young, but talented squad. Overall, the women’s team will again rely on youth this season with 12 of the 21 swimmers being underclassmen. Both Fedorovich and Andrews will help in freestyle events and relays as well as providing experience that will be needed in key meets.

Team co-captains C.J. Corcoran and Ellie Tecza return for their junior seasons. Corcoran has finished among the top three at the conference championships eight times, including a pair of runner-up showings, while Tecza has been a part of two second-place and a pair of third-place relays in 2009 and 2010.

Orstein, and last season’s PAC Women’s Diving Coach of the Year Vic Galati, have high expectations for both squads the winter. The season begins Nov. 6 at York (Pa.) where the Presidents will battle the host Spartans and Marymount.

 


WESTMINSTER TITANS

 

There's no denying the presence of the Westminster College men's and women's swimming and diving teams at the national level. No longer are Titans qualifying for the NCAA Division III Championships in an event here and there and maybe pushing for a spot in the finals. Westminster is consistently at the top in multiple events and the Titans are looking to keep it that way as they enter the 2010-11 season.

The 2009-10 season was proof with two swimmers bringing home a total of four Top 8 All-America finishes. Two of the three swimmers who went to nationals last year are returning to the team in 2010-11. Having national qualifiers on the team is something that 26th-year head coach Rob Klamut thinks will only enable more contenders for the NCAA meet in 2011.

"The qualifiers last year proved that we can compete with the top people in the country," Klamut said. "It wasn't a fluke in one event. It was over and over and over. The swimmers who didn't go to nationals last year will start to think, ‘If they can do it than I can too.'"

With one qualifier, the Westminster men placed 35th at nationals and the two women's qualifiers secured a 21st-place finish in 2010 after a 20th-place finish in 2009. Both of those women's qualifiers are returning in 2010-11 in junior Caitlin Lehberger (right) (New Wilmington, Pa./Wilmington) and senior Courtney Herdt (Beaver Falls, Pa./Beaver Falls).

Lehberger made her second trip to the NCAA meet but last year she became the women's team's first-ever NCAA All-American and the first overall women's All-American since 1994 when Westminster was an NAIA school.

"Caitlin had a lot of success and there is definitely more to come," Klamut said. "Her impact has been great for our program, but she's determined and dedicated to improving her times. You can see her maturing more this year as she is taking more responsibility in leadership and that's only going to help her in the pool as well."

Lehberger placed fourth in the 200-yard individual medley (2:04.15) and the 100 breaststroke (1:03.79) and fifth in the 200 breaststroke (2:18.50), all with school-record times, at the NCAA meet. This after she was named the Presidents' Athletic Conference's (PAC) Women's Swimming Most Valuable Performer with first-team all-PAC honors after winning four PAC titles (3 individual, 1 relay) at the conference meet.

Herdt earned an honorable mention for the All-America team by placing ninth and 13th-place, respectively, in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.31) and 200 breaststroke (2:21.06).

The Titan men's team lost its national qualifier Ben Gutmann to graduation after Gutmann won the 100 and 200 breaststrokes at the PAC Championships and was named 2010 PAC Most Valuable Performer.

Despite winning 16 (8 men's, 8 women's) out of 40 events and having both of the PAC MVPs, the Westminster men's and women's teams each placed second at the PAC Championship meet in 2010. Both teams are four-time PAC champions, but neither has won the team title since 2007. This is a developing sense of urgency for both teams.

"Having swimmers going to nationals is an underlying goal," Klamut admitted. "Our main focus as a team is always winning at PACs. We haven't done it in a while and there is a growing sense of urgency. This is a driven, hard-working group and they are determined to get back on top."

The Westminster men return 15 out of 23 lettermen from last year's team that posted a 6-3 dual meet record (2-1 in the PAC) in addition to their second-place finish in the PAC. The Titan women welcome back 10 out of 16 letter-winners from a squad that went 7-3 in dual meets (3-1 in PAC) to go with their runner-up finish at PACs.

There are seven Westminster men's swimmers who earned all-PAC honors returning to the team in 2010-11, while the women have five returning all-PAC performers.

In addition to Herdt and Lehberger, junior Sierra Beecher (Newville, Pa./Big Spring) is back after she helped Westminster win two relays (200 freestyle, 400 medley) at PACs last year. She also placed second in the 200 IM (2:08.29) and 100 butterfly (59.76).

There are two second-team all-PAC swimmers returning to the women's team in junior Emily Kompare (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler) and sophomore Carolyn Swarlis (Pittsburgh, Pa./Avonworth).

The clear-cut strength of the women's team is the breaststroke events. The Titans finished 1-2-3 in the 100 breaststroke at PACs with Lehberger (1:04.59), Herdt (1:05.34) and Kompare (1:08.21), and 1-2 in the 200 breaststroke with Lehberger (2:21.90) and Herdt (2:24.03).

"It's not that we only work on breaststroke more than any event," Klamut said. "Sometimes it's just timing that we have so many on the team at the same time. They are very competitive and they push each other every day."

Despite returning just nine letter-winners, the depth will also be a distinct strength for the women's team with a roster size of 23 athletes, including nine freshmen.

Five PAC champions lead the list of eight returning all-PAC men's swimmers. They include senior Devin Gannon (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler), who won the 200 backstroke (1:54.59); junior Mike Barringer (left) (Boardman, Ohio/Boardman), winner of the 100 butterfly (50.88), 200 freestyle relay (1:25.15), and 400 freestyle relay (3:06.65); junior Mark Brooks (Youngstown, Ohio/Boardman), champion in the 100 backstroke (52.54) and 200 freestyle relay; and sophomore Alan Nedley (White, Pa./Connellsville), who captured the 200 butterfly (1:54.30). Sophomore Daniel Gutmann (Cranberry Twp., Pa./Seneca Valley) also swam on the winning 200 freestyle relay.

The second-team all-PAC men's swimmers returning are junior Todd Slobodnyak (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) and sophomore Will Stiglitz (Franklin, Pa./Cranberry).

Klamut identifies the butterfly and backstroke events as the men's team's stronger events.

Westminster opens the season Friday, Oct. 29, when it hosts the Westminster Relays. The first dual meet is at Allegheny Nov. 6.
 

 

 

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