University of Connecticut Athletics
2007-08 Women's Swimming and Diving Season Preview
10/11/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
2007-08 Women's Swimming and Diving Season Preview
Team hosts the Husky Invitational this Saturday
STORRS, Conn. (October 11, 2007) – The University of Connecticut Swimming and Diving program will open their season this Saturday, October 13th at noon with the Husky Invitational in the Wolff-Zackin Natatorium.
Women’s Season Preview
Just like the men's team, the women graduated only three seniors. Although a small group, the roles they played were large. Heather Grieb, Diane Duncheskie and Juliet Paradine were all strong swimmers and big contributors to the program during their careers.
Looking to jump in and lead the way for the Huskies are their four captains; three of whom return for their second season as captains. There is no doubt in Head Coach Bob Goldberg's mind that the team leader is Sarah Kearns (Milford, Mass.). Kearns is a real threat from the 100 freestyle to the 1650, with a solid 400 individual medley.
Captain Courtney Haney (Mesa, Ariz.) is also strong in the 400 individual medley. She finished off her junior season swimming her personal best times in her 100 and 200 breaststroke and preseason workouts show there is more to come. Captain Kelly Recupero (Stratford, Conn.) is a training model for the younger swimmers, coming to practice prepared every day with a strong work ethic. The same can be said for captain Andrea Ryan (Davenport, Iowa). Ryan is extremely motivated and looking forward to attending medical school next year.
The senior class doesn't end with the captains. Diver Allison Coleman (New Canaan, Conn.) comes into the season looking to make her second run at a BIG EAST Championship. Emily Karel (Bethesda, Md.) returns for her final season and is the Huskies best sprinter, and 200 freestyler. Jordan Zarin (Rockville, Md.) is coming off of winning the consolation heat of the 200 butterfly at the BIG EAST Championships last season. Lindsay Rogers (Gaithersburg, Md.) is training to be a conference finalist in the breaststroke. Laura Kunces (Naugatuck, Conn.) appears ready to break her personal best times in the freestyle. Colleen Cavanaugh (Bradford, Mass.) has been a steady trainer for the Huskies in the stroke group. Rachel Silverstein (Seattle, Wash.) is entering her final season on the boards determined to make an impact at the BIG EAST Championships.
The junior class is incredibly strong and includes some of the most talented swimmers at UConn. Katie DeVinney (Avondale, Ariz.) is one of the hardest working Huskies and is the 200 butterfly record holder. Lisa Shelps (Quakertown, Pa.) is also a standout with the school record in the 400 individual medley and is the fastest sprinter on the team. Another record holder in the junor class is Danielle Sanders (Mississauga, Ontario). Sanders owns the record in the 1000 freestyle and is looking to add more. Liza Marianni (Cherry Hill, N.J.) is the school and pool record holder in the three-meter dive. Marianni also was the runner up on both the one-meter and three-meter boards at the BIG EAST Championships last season. Audrey Prior (Lutz, Fla.) has impressed the coaching staff with her vast improvement during the last season and Kristalynn Kempton (Glen Head, N.Y.) is a breaststroker looking to have a breakout season. Cassie Peterson (Whitefish Bay, Wisc.) is a talented and hard working swimmer who is looking to continue her improvement. Erin McLaughlin (Woodbridge, Conn.) is working to gain a spot on the relays this season. Brittany Frank (Bedford, N.H.) returns to the pool after taking last season off.
For the sophomore class, Rachel Harrison (Holliston, Mass.) is looking to continue achieving conference cuts in her freestyle events and Molly McGroarty (Lynnwood, N.J.) is looking to bounce back from an illness that kept her out of the pool for an extended period of last season. Katie Tice (Aberdeen, N.J.) is a terrific flier and Ali Tichy (Oxford, Conn.) is coming off a season of personal bests. Sam O'Donnell (Cheshire, Conn.) is a solid contributor to the sprint relays and needs to step up for the Huskies.
The freshman group is small but ready to make an impact. Carlyn Lungmus (Sarasota, Fla.) was the 2007 YMCA National Champion in the 100 backstroke and is expected to be a contributor immediately. Jessica Hovancik (Valatie, N.Y.) competed in the U.S. Diving Regionals and will look to build upon her past accomplishments at the college level. Sophie Staskiewicz (Riverdale, N.Y.) is expected to develop into an excellent swimmer who will compete in many different events. Kate Baust (Reisterstown, Md.) is a talented breaststroker that will score this season and Colleen Bower (Cumberland, R.I.) is a distance swimmer who will benefit from being able to train with Sarah Kearns. Lauren Grant (Mansfield, Conn.) is a local swimmer who is no stranger to UConn and will look to blossom as a Husky. Gabrielle Garcia (Hanson, Mass.) is eager to learn and grow as a diver this season and Keristen Raccio (Oxford, Conn.) is a former gymnast who will look to gain from the experience of training with the talented veterans on this years' diving squad. Ashley VanPatten (Schenectady, N.Y.) is a New York High School State diving qualifier and is ready to challenge the competition in the BIG EAST.
This group is set to represent UConn with talent, desire and depth.
