Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Swimming and Diving Kicks Off 2007-08 Campaign Against UMBC
10/4/2007 8:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Oct. 4, 2007
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell women's swimming and diving squad will kick off the 2007-08 season this Saturday as the Bison will play host to UMBC in Kinney Natatorium. The dual meet is slated to begin at 1 p.m.
Coming off a runner-up finish at the Patriot League Championships in 2006-07, Bucknell is determined to continue the program's history of success. Despite losing a group of key contributors to graduation, second-year head coach Dan Schinnerer feels that his young squad is up to the task.
"We graduated a pretty strong senior class from last season," admitted Schinnerer. "A number of the women from the Class of 2007 were big contributors throughout their four years. We're definitely young and have some holes to fill, but we have the ability to fill those holes. The emphasis we have this year is really trying to get everyone to step up and develop. I think a lot of our athletes had good seasons last year and if we can build on those this year, it will make up for a lot of what we graduated. There is a great deal of potential throughout all the classes. Navy did not graduate many of its scorers from last season nor did Colgate. It will be a challenge to get back ahead of Navy and to remain in front of Colgate, but it's a challenge we're up for."
Sprint Freestyle
In the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events, the Bison lost four-time All-Patriot League selection Rebecca Scheffter to graduation, but return sophomore Megan Mongan, who took fifth in the 100 last season, posting the fourth-fastest time in school history. According to Schinnerer, "she had a good freshman year, but has the potential to have a breakout sophomore season."
In the 50 and 100, freshman Molly Goebel could potentially make an impact for the Orange and Blue along with returning juniors Alexandra Lovallo and Susan Horstmann and senior Lauren Butrie. As a sophomore, Horstmann scored in the 100 free consolation final at the league meet.
Schinnerer also notes that freshman Katie John and senior Kristen Skroski, who compete at some of the longer freestyle distances, could possibly move down to the 100 at times as Skroski was a part of Bucknell's sprint relays as a junior.
Mid-Freestyle
In the 200 and 500, Mongan and Skroski are expected to lead the Bison as both were Patriot League scorers in 2007 and set new top-10 marks, not far from the program records. Mongan took fifth at the PL Championships in the 200 free, posting the fourth-fastest time in school history (1:53.31). Skroski won the 200 and 500 consolation finals, each with times that rank sixth in the Bucknell record books, 1:53.68 and 5:03.32.
John's best time is right amongst those of Mongan and Skroski and she is expected to be an additional contributor. Horstmann, Butrie and sophomore Lauren Arey will provide the Bison with additional depth in this area, as well.
Distance Freestyle
Schinnerer will look to Skroski and John to lead Bucknell's distance freestyle group. Skroski took eighth in the 1,650 free at the 2007 Patriot League Championships after posting two wins in the 1,000 during the year. Also returning is junior Ally St. Claire, a 2006 all-league second team performer who scored in the 200 (15th), 500 (8th) and 1,650 (7th) at the league meet in 2007.
Junior Meghan O'Neill and senior Katalin Lyons could provide added points for the Orange and Blue in the distance events. Lyons, who missed the majority of her junior campaign due to injury, ranks ninth in the Bison record books for the 1,650.
Backstroke
After strong performances by freshmen in the backstroke last season, Schinnerer expects this group to continue to develop as sophomores. Leading the way is Courtney Warren who was Bucknell's top backstroker in 2006-07. She was the runner-up in the 100 at the league championships with the fourth-best time in school history, while also scoring in the 200 back (11th).
Right behind her throughout the year were Abigail Atkinson and Lauren Russell. Atkinson won the 100 back consolation final at the league meet (9th) with the No. 10 time in program history (59.50) and also scored in the 200 (10th). Russell took 10th in the 100.
Abby Paules, who took 13th in the 200 back at the PL Championships, will be called on again to contribute in this event group, along with freshman Sinead O'Dwyer.
Breaststroke
A strength for the Bison in 2006-07, Schinnerer believes the team's success in the breaststroke events will continue this season with Kelly Morris and Nikki Seaman back for their junior campaigns. Morris was fifth in the 100 breast and fourth in the 200 at the 2007 league meet, while Seaman took 11th and ninth. Morris ranks second in the Bison record books in both events and Seaman holds the program's fourth-best times in each.
Schinnerer feels the added talent of freshman Macey Keath "should provide a solid 1-2-3 punch" for the Orange and Blue.
Sophomore Caroline Walsh scored in the 200 breast at the Patriot League Championships as a freshman (14th) and should provide further depth, with senior Emmie Gallardo playing a role as well.
Butterfly
According to Schinnerer, the Bison "took a big hit in the butterfly events, losing Katherine Munson to graduation." However, he looks for sophomore Sarah Pease to continue her development, coming off consolation finals appearances in both the 100 (16th) and 200 (12th) at the PL championship last season.
Schinnerer also feels that freshman Laura Twichell could develop into a strong contributor in this area, while sophomore Whitney Brown will add to the team's depth in this event group.
IM
In the 200 IM, Bucknell returns Mongan, Russell and Atkinson. All were Patriot League scorers in 2007, Mongan in the finals (8th) and Russell and Atkinson in the consolation finals, finishing 11th and 13th, respectively. Mongan and Russell both rank in the program's top-10 for the 200 with Mongan standing sixth and Russell seventh.
Russell won the consolation final in the 400 IM at the league meet as well, taking ninth overall with the sixth-fastest time in school history. Schinnerer expects Keath to bolster the team's strength in this area along with O'Dwyer and sophomore Abigail Paules.
Diving
Sophomores Eliza Massie and Rebecca Bersani led the Bison divers in 2006-07 as freshmen, both earning All-Patriot League second team selections. Bersani was the top performer for the Orange and Blue with third-place showings on both the one-meter and three-meter boards at the Patriot League Championships. Massie, who took fourth and fifth in one-meter and three-meter competition, respectively, at the PL meet, also set a Bucknell record in three-meter, six optionals during the season. Sophomore Allison FitzPatrick entered the program record books as a freshman, as well, and is expected to make further strides in her second season.
