Behrend Swimming &
Diving Opens 2003-04 Season at Buffalo State
Penn State Behrend's men's and women's swimming
and diving team will travel to Buffalo State on November 7 to kick off
the 2003-2004 season. Last year the men's squad defeated Buffalo
State 130-74 while the women dropped the match 100-112. Only having
one week of practice in before the trip, the match will be a good
indicator on where everyone will fit in. It looks to be a competitive
match for both programs since the opposing squad has similar depth.
With only three returning starters for the men's side, and four for the women, the team is filled with new faces. "We are excited about this seasons possibilities," said first-year head coach Jen Slack. "We will look to our freshman to add depth to our team."
Returning to the men's squad this year are junior co-captains Joe Deely (Pittsburgh/Taylor Allderdice) and Eric Phillips (Monroveville/Gateway). Sophomore Steve Schleicher (Erie/McDowell) will also be returning this year. The freshman will bring in new talent this year adding seven swimmers to the squad, Pat Bridenbecker (Skaneateles, NY/Skaneateles), John Elletson (Boca Raton, FL/Spanish River), Dale Henry (Bessemer/Kennedy Catholic), Kent McKee (Delaware, OH/Delaware Hayes), Justin Ryder (St. Louis, MO/Parkway Central), Brandon Thiel (Ligonier/Ligonier Valley), and Mark Walczak (Allison Park/Deer Lake)
The women's side will return three seniors who share captain responsibilities, Tara Braden (Erie/Fairview), Sarah McGarvey (Butler/Butler), and Carrie Smock (Erie/Iroquois). The freshmen will again make up the majority of the squad again adding seven new swimmers, Alison Jaskolski (Irwin/Norwin), Cara Ludwig (North Wales/North Penn), Whitney Marshall (Hummelstown/ Hershey), Alexis Puhala (Johnstown/Westmont Hilltop), Jacki Slagle (Erie/Harborcreek), Naysa Woomer (Indiana/Indiana Senior), and Brittany Yost (Pottsville, Pottsville Area).
The first home meet for the Behrend Lions swim team will be November 25 against Gannon at 6:00 p.m. The team will then travel to Ohio for the Wooster Invitational December 5-7.