Coombs Named Swimmer of the Meet; Six Hawks Earn All-Conference

 Senior Michelle Coombs was named the Outstanding Female Swimmer of the meet at the SUNYAC Championships. Coombs won the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle and was part of the winning 200 medley relay. She set new SUNYAC meet, conference and varsity records in all of her individual events. Coombs was named to the All-Conference first team for her performance. Senior Liz Delia, sophomore Joelle Hopf, and senior Katie Rapp were each named to the All-Conference second team. Delia finished second in the 200 back (2:12.65) and Rapp touched third (2:13.08). Hopf finished third (1:08.80) in the 100 breast stroke.
Stephen Cozzolongo and Johnny Fleckenstein were named to the All-Conference second team. Fleckenstein finished third in the 400 IM (4:18.96) and Cozzolongo took third in the 100 back touching in 54.08.  Return to Top of Page

Men and Women Finish Fourth at Swim

 The SUNY New Paltz men's and women's swim teams each finished fourth in the team standings at the completion of the SUNYAC Championships held at the Burt Flickenger Aquatic Center.

Senior Michelle Coombs won her third individual event of the meet, claiming the 100 free in a meet, conference and varsity record of 51.47. Coombs teamed up with Ashley Williamson, Liz Delia and Joelle Hopf for a second place finish in the 400 free relay (3:37.34). Delia finished second in the 200 back (2:12.65) and Katie Rapp touched third (2:13.08). Hopf and Regina Davide finished fifth (2:30.44) and seventh (2:32.38), respectively, in the 200 breast and Liz Ruggerio was eighth in the 200 fly (2:17.69). The Hawks time trialed the 400 medley relay and finished with a time of 3:59.38. Coombs swam the 100 back leg and finished with a split of 56.56 which made an ACut and set a varsity and conference record.

On the men's side Zack Lowenstein finished fourth iin the 200 back (1:59.39) and Stephen Cozzolongo touched fifth (2:00.54). Junior Johnny Fleckenstein was fourth in the 200 breast (2:15.12) and teamed up with Brendan Lown, Brian Bennett and Lowenstein for a sixth place finish in the 400 free relay (3:18.91).  Return to Top of Page

Day One of Swimming SUNYACs

Swimmer of the Week

(Center Valley, Pa.) –  Army swimming and diving team captain Amanda Otto was tabbed the Patriot League’s Female “Swimmer of the Week” in an announcement from league offices Tuesday. Otto claimed two first place finishes in Army’s 156-104 victory over George Washington on Saturday helping her garner her first weekly honors of the season.

The West Seneca, N.Y., native paced the field in the 200-yard freestyle for her first victory of the day, touching the wall in 1 minute, 55.48 seconds. Otto capped her performance in the 100 butterfly where she finished first with a winning time of 59.42.

Otto leads the team with 17 first place ribbons during her final campaign as a Black Knight. Her performance against the Colonials helped her senior class become the first since the 2001-02 women’s team to walk away on a winning note in their dual-season finale.

Army is off until Thursday, Feb. 15, when its opens the 2007 Patriot League Championships in Lewisburg, Pa.

Red Foxes Roll on Senior Day

(Poughkeepsie) - The Marist Women's Swimming and Diving team earned a 139-90 victory over Southern Connecticut St. on Saturday afternoon at the James J. McCann Natatorium. Three Red Foxes won multiple individual events in their final home meet of the season. Prior to the meet nine Marist women were honored in senior day festivities.

Marist got out of the gates quickly, as it took the top three positions in the 400-yard medley relay to open the meet. The quartet of Ashley Papuga (Branford, Conn.), Lauren Malski (Trumbull, Conn.), Lyndsay Martin (Schenectady, N.Y.) and Kim Koehler (Narragansett, R.I.) won the event with a time of 4:03.58. Koehler would also go on to win the 50-yard freestyle for the Red Foxes in a time of 25.54 seconds, while Martin would take first place in 200-yard butterfly, posting a time of 2:10.96.

For the second straight meet, Marist sophomore Sandra Bujalski (Thomaston, Conn.) was a winner in multiple events. On Saturday, she posted victories in the 200-yard freestyle and the 100-yard free, finishing with times of 1:58.87 and 54.93 seconds, respectively. Bujalski was one of three Red Foxes to post multiple individual wins on the day.

Jenell Walsh-Thomas (Medford, N.J.) was also a multiple winner for Marist, sweeping the distance freestyle events. Walsh-Thomas won the 1,000-freestyle in a time of 10:31.21, before topping the field in the 500-yard free in a time of 5:13.94.

In diving action, junior Melissa Mangona (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) won both events for Marist on Saturday. Her first victory came on the one-meter board, where she posted a winning score of 252.29. She was followed by Anna Sanner (Somerset, Pa.) in second place with a score of 242.54 and Katherine Carpenter (Ballston Lake, N.Y.) in fourth place with a total of 153.59. Mangona went on to win the three-meter event as well, posting a winning score of 233.92. Sanner and Carpenter followed in second and fourth with scores of 224.39 and 202.95, respectively.

Prior to Saturday's meet Victoria Fresolone (East Setauket, N.Y.), Koehler, Malski, Lindsay Marotto (South Windsor, Conn.), Papuga, Jessica Paul (Meadowbrook, Pa.), Sanner, Katie Spicer (Plainview, N.Y.) and Cindy Spiecker (Warrington, Pa.) were honored for their contributions to the swimming and diving program throughout their careers at Marist.

With the victory over the Owls, Marist improves to 7-2 overall on the season. The Red Foxes will be back in action on January 27, when they travel to UMBC for the final dual meet of the season. The meet in Baltimore is scheduled for noon.

Pictured is Marist senior captain Lindsay Marotto who along with eight other seniors swam in their final home meet on Saturday.  Return to Top of Page

Lehigh Nips Army, 150-148

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Amanda Otto won three events and Cora Freeman took home two first-place ribbons, but it was not enough as the Army women’s swimming and diving team fell at Lehigh, 150-148, Saturday afternoon. The Black Knights fall to 2-7 on the season and 1-5 in the Patriot League.

Otto, the team’s senior captain, took the gold medal in the 100-yard freestyle (54.39 seconds), 200-yard freestyle (1:57.69) and 200-yard individual medley (2:10.87).

Cora Freeman (1:00.12) and her twin sister Chelsey Freeman (1:00.17) placed first and second, respectively in the 100-yard butterfly. Cora also led Army to a sweep of the top three positions in the 50-yard freestyle, an event she won with a clocking of 25.35.

Army’s quartet of Cora Freeman, Chelsey Freeman, Ann DiDomenico and Sylvia Beck teamed to place first in the 200-yard freestyle relay with a clocking of 1:41.81.

Paige Dellavale placed runner-up in the 50 free (25.58), while Beck took third (26.30). Dellavalle (55.13) and Beck (56.51) placed second and third, respectively, behind Otto in the 100 free as well.

DiDomenico added a third-place showing in the 1,000-yard freestyle (10:58.00), while Kim DeFiori chipped in a third-place effort in the 100-yard backstroke (1:11.00).

Despite the loss, first-year Army head coach Mickey Wender was pleased with the effort put forth by his team.

"The women had one of their better performances of the year today,” said Wender. “This was the best team showing I’ve seen since I’ve been here and I was really proud of the way they came together this afternoon.”

Army returns to action Jan. 27, when the Black Knights trek to Fairfax, Va., to battle American, Old Dominion and George Washington .

Pictued is Amando Otto.  Photo Credit: AAC  Return to Top of Page

Hawks Finish Second at RPI Invite

(New Paltz) - The SUNY New Paltz women's swimming team traveled to the RPI Invitational Saturday and finished second with 543 points, behind first place Cortland (589). The 400 Medley Relay team of Michelle Coombs, Joelle Hopf, Liz Ruggerio, and Ashley Williamson finished first in a time of 4:06.50. New Paltz went 1-2-3 in the 200 backstroke as Liz Delia finished first (2:16.02), Katie Rapp was second (2:16.48) and Samantha Graham claimed thrid (2:18.59). Coombs claimed the 50 free (24.21) and the 100 free (52.98) as Melinda Pullen touched second in the 1000 free in 11:20.31. Hopf and Regina Davide finished second (2:32.28) and third (2:34.57) in the 200 breaststroke, respectively. Delia swam to a second place finish in the 200 IM (2:18.66).  Return to Top of Page

Blue Knights Fall

(Newburgh) - The Mount Saint Mary College women’s swimming team struggled slightly as they returned for the second semester, losing both of their meets during the past week.

On Friday, the Blue Knights fell to Western Connecticut State University by a score of 112-59. Senior Meghan Donleavy (Highland Mills, NY) was the only individual event winner for the Blue Knights. Her time of 6:04.48 in the 500-yard freestyle was good enough for first place points in the event. Donleavy also finished second in the 200-yard individual medley 2:34.42).

The 200-yard freestyle relay team continued to be successful for the Mount. Sophomore Christie Senkewich (Mountainville, NY), sophomore Laura Volk (West Islip, NY), junior Kimberly Lynch (Waterbury, CT), and Donleavy swam the race in 2:06.24 and earned first place points.

One day later, the swimmers lost to Elms College, 150- 88. Fatigue may have been an issue for the Blue Knights as they were forced to swim a second full meet in as many days.

Donleavy led the way once again, earning second place finishes in the 200-meter freestyle (2:29.28), the 100-meter backstroke (1:21.66) and the 400-meter freestyle (5:30.02).

Senkewich was the only individual event winner for the Blue Knights as she earned a first place finish in the 100- meter individual medley (1:27.06). Along with Volk, Lynch, and Donleavy, Senkewich took home another relay event, this time in the 400-meter freestyle relay (5:25.69).   Return to Top of Page

Hawks Swim Past Stevens Ducks

(Hoboken) -  The SUNY New Paltz men's and women's swimming teams traveled to Stevens Institute of Technology and swam past the Ducks in a 97-78 win for the women and a 95-90 win for the men. Seven pool records (PR) were set by the Hawks.

On the men's side the 200 free relay of Zack Lowenstein, Stephen Cozzolongo, Brendan Lown, and Joe Fails set a PR (1:32.94). The 200 medley relay of Lowenstein, Danny Lo, Cozzolongo, and Lown finished first in 1:45.36. Brian Bennett was a double winner for the Hawks in the 1000 free (10:43.38) and the 100 free (52.39). Lowenstein and Johnny Fleckenstein finished first in the 200 free (1:52.49) and the 200 IM (2:09.45), respectively.

On the women's side, senior Michelle Coombs set a PR in the 100 back (58.58) and the 50 freestyle (24.27). Liz Delia and Melinda Pullen set PRs in the 400 IM (4:50.19) and the 500 free (5:13.77), respectively. The 400 free relay of Ashley Williamson, Regina Davide, Joelle Hopf, and Laura Lipp touched first in 3:51.79 (PR). The 400 medley relay set a pool record in a time of 4:09.97. Davide claimed two individual events for the Hawks, the 200 free (2:05.41) and the 100 free (57.73). Nicole Moss touched first in the 1000 free in a time of 11:40.53.

The women's team returns to action on Saturday when they travel to RPI.  Return to Top

Hawks Swept by Blue Wave

(New Paltz) - The SUNY New Paltz swimming teams hosted the SUNY Geneseo Blue Wave this afternoon. The women were defeated 115-90 and the men lost 108-91.

Senior Michelle Coombs was a triple winner claiming the 100, 200 and 500 freestyle. 200 freesyle in 1:54.82, six seconds ahead of the runnerup, 100 yard freestyle in 53:64, 500 free in 5:20.51. Regina Davide and Ashley Williamson went one-two in the 50 yard freestyle with times of 25.59 and 25.64, respectively. Joelle Hopf touched first in the 100 breaststroke in a time of 1:10.13.

On the men's side Johnny Fleckenstein touched first in the 200 IM in a time of 2:07.06, with Stephen Cozzolongo finishing behind in 2:08.26 for second place. Cozzolongo claimed the 100 backstroke in 55.65 and Zack Lowenstein finished second in the 100 freestyle in 50.26 and the 200 freestyle in 51.30. Brian Bennett was the runnerup in the 500 free with a time of 5:16.84 and Danny Lo finished first in the 100 breaststroke (1:05.62).

The men's swim team will return to action on Saturday when they travel to RPI for the 2007 Kumpf Invitational before both teams travel to Stevens on Jan. 17th.  Return to Top of Page

Marist Swimming And Diving Programs Remain Ranked In CollegeSwimming.Com Mid-Major Poll

Marist men enter intersession 7-0, women stand at 5-2

(Poughkepsie) - Larry J. VanWagner's Swimming and Diving programs remained ranked in CollegeSwimming.com's Mid-Major Top 25. The men, who stand at 7-0, currently stand 15th in the poll, while the women at 5-2 hold the 21st position.

VanWagner's men's squad holds a point total of 161.13 in the poll, while Navy, ranked first holds a total of 188.34. On the women's side, Harvard holds the top spot with a total of 176.69, while Marist stands in 21st with a point total of 161.94.

The Marist Men completed the first portion of the season a perfect 7-0, with a 5-0 mark in MAAC competitions. The Foxes are coming off a sweep at the H20unds Invitational in which VanWagner and Associate Head Coach Melanie Bolstad earned the program's 200th victory. In its 28th year of competition the men's program holds a dual meet record of 202-83, good for a winning percentage of .709. The Foxes have also claimed 10 of a possible 11 MAAC crowns since joining in the league in 1995.

The Marist men have also garnered individual MAAC awards, as Greg Jablonski (Massapequa, N.Y.), Ralph Rienzo (Wallingford, Conn.) and Pat Collins (Nutley, N.J.) have all been named MAAC Swimmer of the Week. Junior Devon O'Nalty (East Hartford, Conn.) has been named the league's Diver of the Week on three occasions so far this season.

On the women's side, Marist is coming off a strong showing at the H20unds Invitational, which saw the Foxes defeat MAAC rivals Loyola and Niagara, before bowing to Delaware in the four way meet. The Foxes' remain perfect in the league at 5-0, and stand at 5-2 overall.

Junior Jamie Falco (North Haven, Conn.) has gotten off to a great start for the Foxes, as she has set school records in the 200-backstroke and freestyle on her way to being named MAAC Swimmer of the Week on October 23. Freshman Jenell Walsh-Thomas (Medford, N.J.) has also garnered a Swimmer of the Week award, while junior Melissa Mangona (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) was named MAAC Diver of the Week on October 31, November 8 and December 5.

Marist is off from competition until January 12 at Seton Hall, but will be in Coral Springs, Florida from December 26-January 1 for intersession training.   Return to Top of Page

Mangona Garners MAAC Weekly Honor

Junior swept diving events at H20unds Invitational

Marist's Melissa Mangona (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) has earned MAAC Women's Diver of the Week honors it was announced by the league office on Tuesday. This marks the third time in her career at Marist she has earned the honor, with all of them coming this season.

Mangona was impressive in sweeping the diving events in this past weekend's H20unds Invitational hosted by Loyola. The junior earned the top spot off the one-meter board with a final point total of 226.45, before she bested the field in the three-meter event totaling 424.30 points.

Mangona helped Marist defeat two of its three opponents at the two day event, as the Foxes dropped Niagara and Loyola but fell to Delaware. Following the weekend, Marist moved to 5-2 overall on the season and 5-0 in MAAC competitions.

The Red Foxes will make a trip to California from December 26-January 1 for Intersession Training, before returning to competition on January 12 at Seton Hall.

Pictured is Marist's Melissa Magona.

Marist Women Lead Loyola And Niagara, Trail Delaware After Day One Of H20unds Invitational

Walsh-Thomas wins 500-yard free on Friday

The Marist Women’s Swimming and Diving team leads Niagara and Loyola but trails Delaware after day one of the H20unds Invitational hosted by Loyola. Freshman Jenell Walsh-Thomas won the 500-yard freestyle for the Foxes. Marist leads Niagara 72-19, Loyola 56-35 and is behind Delaware 52-39 after the first day of competition.

Marist opened the meet by finishing second in the 400-yard medley relay. The team of Jamie Falco (North Haven, Conn.), Lyndsay Martin (Schenectady, N.Y.), Sandra Bujalski (Thomaston, Conn.) and Jenny Serino (Shelton, Conn.) took the second position in a time of 3:59.20.

Walsh-Thomas then went on to win the 500-yard free in a time of 5:08.76. She was followed by classmate Emily Hammang (Barrington, R.I.) in fourth place in a time of 5:15.60. The two freshman also joined Bujalski and Falco on the winning 800-yard freestyle team. The quartet bested the field in a time of 7:50.54

Aside from being a part of the two relay teams, Falco would also take the top spot in the 200-yard individual medley in a time of 2:09.23. Serino would also turn in a solid showing in the 50-yard freestyle, as she finished fifth in a time of 25.42 seconds.

Pictured is Marist Junior Jamie Falco

Swimming and Diving Hosts Navy In Annual “Star” Meet Thursday

(West Point) - The Army swimming and diving team renews its rivalry with Navy this Thursday in the annual “Star” meet between the two service-academy schools. The women’s meet is schedule to start at 3:45 p.m., with the men’s meet to follow at 7:15 p.m., at West Point’s Crandall Pool.

Women’s Preview

The Army women’s team enters the contest with a 2-3 mark overall and a 1-1 record in the Patriot League. The Black Knights are led by Lindsay Adao and Amanda Otto.

Adao is Army’s top diver this season having earned five first-place finishes, including two sweeps, on the boards. The freshman owns a top mark on the 1-meter board with a 277.35 against Lafayette, which qualified her for the NCAA Zone Diving Regional. Adao’s personal best on the 3-meter board was achieved against Williams. The New City, N.Y., native posted a 273.95, which would have won the event had it been scored individually.

Otto, who has he ability to place in an array of events, leads the team in points. The senior team captain has placed first on 10 occasions, placing no lower than third in her other seven swims. The bulk of her victories have come in the individual medley, where she’s touched first five times. Her season-best time in the 200-yard IM, 2 minutes, 10.37 seconds, was posted against Williams. She also owns team best times in the 100 freestyle (54.46), 200 free (1:56.21), and 500 free (5:10.40).

Navy’s women enter the contest with a 9-0 record and stand at 4-0 in the Patriot League. The Midshipmen are led by Katie Griffin and Aubra Thomas. Griffin Navy’s best diving option, while Thomas holds the Patriot League record in both breaststroke events and the 200 IM.

The Mids hold the series advantage claiming victory in 21 of the 25 all-time meetings. Army’s last win over Navy on the women’s side came during the 1988-89 season, when the Black Knights triumphed 168-130 at Crandall Pool.   Return to Top of Page