11/02/2007
Swim and Dive Set to Host Home Opener on Saturday

WORCESTER, MASS. 11/04/07 -- The Clark University men’s and women’s swim and dive team will plunge into its 2007-08 campaign with a double dual-meet against Bryant University and Gordon College at the Kneller Athletic Center Pool on Saturday. The Cougars are set to submerge at 1 p.m.

"The team has been working hard in practice, so it will be exciting to see our competitive personality begin to develop this weekend," said fifth-year head coach Paul E. Phillips.

The Clark men defeated both Gordon (224-23) and Bryant (141-121) last season, while the Cougar women split, beating Gordon (212-58) and losing to Bryant (116-146). "It’s the start of a new season for everyone," Phillips said. "I expect this meet to be very competitive for all involved."

Entering this winter’s campaign with just five letter-winners from a team that finished with a 5-6 dual-meet record, Phillips is optimistic about the year ahead. Although the Cougars must make do without the services of team leaders Brian Walsh ’09, Mike Smith ’09 and Tim O’Keefe ’09 - all abroad for the first half of this year - they have seven newcomers and a core group of solid returning veterans to help fill the void.

Phillips will look to the team’s lone senior captain Shyamal Asher, a two-time NEWMAC All-Academic selection, to provide enthusiasm and steady leadership this winter, while junior school-record holder Drew Jackson, who set new school marks in the 100-(55:28) and 200-back (1:58.66), returns to lead the Cougars in multiple events. Sophomore Taylor Morono is expected to anchor the Cougar sprinters this winter. Classmate Curtis Reid, the team’s most improved swimmer last winter, and fellow sophomore Clark Reeves will provide valuable depth for the Cougars in multiple events.

Although the Cougar women lost six seniors to graduation, depth certainly won’t be a concern for this year’s squad. Leading the list of returnees are seniors Kara Bochicchio and Marjorie Whalen and tri-captains Jessica Moise, Cassie Crawford and Caitlin Hanson. Sophomores Dana Akerfelds and Corri Stewart, and junior Jessica Cullen return to lead the backstroke contingent. Akerfelds broke the school record in the 50- and 200-yard backstroke and was just .01 seconds off a new school mark in the 100-yard back last year. Junior Kayleigh Lagasse and sophomore Alicia Roman will provide a strong tandem in the butterfly, while Junior Lindsey Stone and sophomores Laura Banulski and Katie MacDowell are expected to boost the up-and-coming sprint group. With a year under their belts, sophomores Chelsea Foley and Nicole Rogers hope to make an impact in mid-distance and distance events respectively. Not to be overlooked in the mix, junior Jessica Baker will play a pivotal role as the team’s lone diver. Baker was a NEWMAC finalist last season and is Clark’s third all-time leading scorer in both 1-Meter and 3-Meter championship points.

"I expect our swimmers and divers to challenge and support each other both in and away from the pool," Phillips concluded. "If we do that, it will be exciting to see where we end up, both individually and collectively."