University of Connecticut Athletics
2006-07 Men's Swimming and Diving Season Preview
10/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving
STORRS, Conn. (October 12, 2006) - The 2006-07 UConn Swimming and Diving team opens their 2006-07 season this Friday as they host the Husky Invitational.
Head Coach Bob Goldberg is really excited for this year’s version of the men’s team.
“We have the best distribution of talent throughout all four classes, and the best coverage of all the events that we have ever had at Connecticut,” says Goldberg. “This is a team with talent and skill at every event, and a great attitude from our team leaders that will promote success.”
Those leaders are captains Tim Wong (Kingston, Jamaica), Tristan Jones (Canberra, Australia) and Nick Acquavito (Freeport, N.Y.).
Tim Wong, one of the best swimmers to come out of Jamaica, spent the better part of the last two years battling medical issues. This year he appears ready to break out in the 200 fly.
A strong leader and U.S. Open finalist in 2005-06, Nick Acquavito continues to lead the Huskies in the 200 breaststroke. Acquavito lives to race and enjoys his role as a team leader.
“We are very happy to have Nick when we race the breaststroke,” says Goldberg.
Tristan Jones is a swimmer that Goldberg describes as “elite”. Jones is always willing to put in extra training time in the pool and the classroom. He maintains close to a 4.0 grade-point average, and is the Connecticut record holder in the 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley. Jones is also a NCAA “B” qualifier in the breaststroke.
“Tristan is one of those swimmers who is so good and so versatile,” comments Goldberg. “It will be unfortunate when Tristan graduates because it will be hard to replace him.”
On the diving side of the pool, this year’s group is led by junior captain Michael Clifford (West Islip, N.Y.) Clifford was a NCAA Zone ‘A’ Regional Qualifier, finishing 22nd. At the BIG EAST Championships in 2005-06, he finished in 12th place. He is looking to have a breakout year according to Diving Coach John Bransfield.
Aside from the leadership of the Huskies, the program returns a large and talented group of juniors.
Former New York State Champion Michael Brocki (Westhampton, N.Y.) will look to push his limits in the freestyle.
“Michael still has an untapped reserve of speed in the 200 and 500 free,” says Goldberg.
2004 Athens Olympics participant Abed Kaaki (Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia), Chris Ferreira (Madison, Conn.), Ryan Thompson (Branford, Conn.) and Sean Hannan (Clifton Park, N.Y.) will continue to improve their times and provide depth to the Huskies’ lineup.
Divers Steve Ratner (Stamford, Conn.) and Seth Darley (Bristol, Conn.) are continuing to build their list of dives and will compete for spots at the conference meet.
Second year transfer from Swanee, University of the South, Tod Pesses (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) has totally transformed himself into a quality athlete and will be looked upon with high expectations this year.
The sophomore class is a talented group. Adrian Astiz (Bethesda, Md.) is becoming a conference threat in the fly events. Tyler Bradshaw (Salem, Va.) had a good freshman campaign that was cut short by a back injury just prior to the BIG EAST Championship. Sprinter Nick Conrad (Olney, Md.) should make a statement after swimming at the Senior Nationals last spring.
Sophomore John Henry Dasinger (Madison, Miss.) has the best natural feel for the water of anyone on the team and still has yet to reach his potential.
“His 100 fly and 200 backstroke races are beautiful to watch,” says Goldberg.
Minnesota transfer Frisk Driscoll (Westport, Conn.) who will look to round out a thin distance lane.
The sophomore class is rounded out by Jules Alexandre (Wallingford, Conn.) and Ben Levine (North Granby, Conn.) who are Connecticut products. Both of them will continue to improve.
The freshman class contains many swimmers and divers that can make contributions immediately.
Steven Kustra (North Huntington, Pa.) was a high point winner at sectionals last spring, and can line up in many different spots.
Jon Wong (Toronto, Ont.) is a quality mid-distance freestyler that will get better as he gains strength.
John Hogan (Walkersville, Md.) will add versatility as a freestyler, flier, and sprinter.
Diver Steven Ferreira (Madison, Conn.) and sprinter Bill Magin (Brookfield, Conn.) are also expected to contribute this year.
